Kevin Fedarko and Pete McBride: Parks in Peril

Despite the fact that The Grand Canyon is widely recognized and universally loved, it’s surrounded on all sides by threats: mining activity, helicopter traffic and development proposals. In order to explore this paradox, filmmaker Pete McBride — Holy (Un)holy River and Martin’s Boat — and author Kevin Fedarko decided to do something drastic: Walk a mega-transect through the heart of the canyon, from Lee’s Ferry to Grand Wash Cliffs. Setting off in the fall of 2015, they embarked on what turned into an epic, illuminating, blister-inducing and arduous adventure of nearly 650 miles. They’ll discuss how the challenges facing the Grand Canyon are emblematic of the country’s entire national park system.