the short film interdisciplinary innovation showcases the transformative power of collaboration while addressing environmental challenges. this conservation research project captures the efforts of an interdisciplinary team working on a diy water quality sensor initiative in madagascar. by uniting students from the institute for integrative conservation at william & mary, universities in madagascar, local community members, and conservation international, the project highlights a shared commitment to water conservation and sustainable solutions.

the film delves into the project’s innovative aspects, combining interviews with team members and partners to illustrate the initiative’s impact on both water quality and community empowerment. it emphasizes the value of cultural exchange, with careful attention to representing malagasy perspectives authentically.

this narrative not only underscores the technical achievements of the team but also celebrates the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in conservation efforts. interdisciplinary innovation offers an inspiring look at how collective creativity can drive meaningful change for communities and ecosystems alike.

solvay processes, now known as honeywell, spent decades polluting onondaga lake in syracuse, new york in the production of soda ash – integral for many industries in the area – as well as mercury. in 1970, a fishing ban was put into place; the us attorney general estimated 25 pounds of mercury were being dumped in the lake everyday. as a result, onondaga lake was designated as a federal superfund site in 1994. the superfund site includes the lake bottom and subsites around the lake and along tributaries. in 2005, honeywell agreed with new york state to begin partial cleanup of the lake 

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anne marie higgins is dedicated to monitoring red-tailed hawks in syracuse, new york. she often spends hours daily observing and documenting them. hawks are a vital part of the ecosystem we live in, helping to control populations of rodents and small mammals, therefore maintaining an ecological balance. due to the nature of being a top predator, hawks face a wide variety of threats including rodenticide poisoning and avian influenza. higgins founded the red-tailed hawk tales facebook page and helped fund syracuse university’s first hawk nest camera in 2016. through her facebook page and the nest-cam, higgins educates and inspires, fostering awareness and appreciation about and for the natural world.

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this video is all about local action individuals can take against the litter problem in the foggy bottom neighborhood of washington, d.c. in 2022, residents of d.c. on average produced 5.87 lbs. of waste per person per day, much of which can often end up on the ground. annually, this can amount to well over 2000 lbs. of individual waste production.

this video aims to teach viewers about the issue at hand by adding visual elements that the audience can engage with, understand, and motivate other citizens to do their part – not just in d.c. but around the world!