Gasland, the documentary movie exploring the controversial natural gas drilling technology called “fracking,” will be shown February 28 at Golden Temple Yoga Studio in Katonah, NY, with donations benefiting the Catskill Mountainkeeper. The environment also is the focus of the film Green Fire, which will be presented free by the Westchester Land Trust (WLT) March 1 at Chappaqua Library.

 “Part vérité travelogue, part exposé, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown,” Gasland follows a trail of secrets, lies and contamination in the wake of the largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, has unlocked what’s been called a “Saudia Arabia of natural gas” just beneath the United States. But is fracking safe? Filmmaker Josh Fox uncovers some disturbing facts, including reports from one recently drilled Pennsylvania town whose residents say they now can light their drinking water on fire. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a Q&A with Ramsay Adams, executive director of the Catskill Mountainkeeper (CatskillMountainkeeper.org).   

Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and A Land Ethic for Our Time, is the first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about the man who shaped the modern environmental movement. Featuring commentary by filmmaker and environmentalist Susan Todd, the film documents Leopold’s philosophy and main interests—the relationship between people and each other and between people and the land. It is also a positive view of conservation initiatives around the country and the history of conservation, including local farm food.  

Green Fire is presented as part of Westchester Land Trust’s Leon Levy Distinguished Environmental Lecture and Film Series, sponsored by the Jerome Levy Foundation and designed to address issues significant to WLT and surrounding communities. Upcoming topics in the series include “Urban Forests” in April. Green Fire begins at 7 p.m. The event is free, but reservations are encouraged. To reserve a spot, visit WestchesterLandTrust.org.