UW–Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies will host a series of events with Emily Ford, the first woman and person of color to complete the Ice Age Trail in winter, as part of its Tales from Planet Earth film series.
From March 5–7, Ford will visit various locations across Madison to engage with the community, share her experience, and offer free screenings of Breaking Trail and A Voice for the Wild, the Nelson Institute said.
“Emily Ford is an inspiring exemplar of the modern adventurer,” says James Edward Mills, the Nelson Institute’s community partnership liaison, in a press release. “Her strength and tenacity in even the most hostile, cold-weather environments are demonstrating what is possible for anyone eager to push the boundaries of the human experience. Her films are a must-see for those looking for an exciting yet approachable role model.”
Premiering at the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival on November 7, 2022, A Voice for the Wild follows Ford’s winter trek across Minnesota’s remote Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Ford’s Madison itinerary, per the Nelson Institute, is as follows:
- On Sunday, March 5, Ford will begin her Madison tour at the Lussier Family Heritage Center. The event kicks off with group and self-guided hikes around William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park, followed by food trucks and a bonfire outside the Lussier Family Heritage Center. Ford will then present both of her films, followed by a moderated Q & A. Healthy Parks Healthy You and Access Ability Wisconsin have provided outdoor wheelchairs for the hiking portion, and Healthy Parks Healthy You has also sponsored free Lyft rides to and from the event.
- On Monday, March 6, Ford will engage with the UW–Madison community through two events: first, a student group hike on campus hosted by Wisconsin Hoofers, then a screening and Q & A hosted at the UW South Madison Partnership for friends and alumni of the UW Odyssey Project.
- Ford’s visit culminates in the Nelson Institute’s Tales from Planet Earth film series screening at Union South’s Marquee Cinema on Tuesday, March 7. The screenings will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m., followed by a moderated Q & A.
