The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Debuts Water Positive Docuseries on Harmful Algal Bloom Water Crisis
MARYSVILLE, Ohio,
|
Typically caused by excess phosphorus, harmful algal blooms pollute freshwater in more than 15,000 waterways in the U.S. and impact all 50 states. The issue threatens drinking water and wildlife and is estimated to cost the U.S. economy
To help document the most troubled waterbodies in the U.S. and uncover how this crisis is affecting communities across the nation, the Foundation has worked collaboratively with Mann and his team of photographers for the past year, creating a series of short videos that will be distributed beginning today on social media and the Foundation’s website. Mann and his crew filmed several sites and conducted dozens of interviews in reporting on the issues affecting
The three-part docuseries features Mann’s perspective on the algae issue and captures stories of major watersheds impacted by algal blooms. Viewers will hear stories from farmers, fishermen, scientists, non-profit organizations, and families – all of whom are affected by and working toward a solution.
“When I visited these watersheds and started speaking with the people in the communities affected, I realized the severity of the algae bloom problem,” said photographer Andy Mann. "I met parents afraid to give their children water to drink, fishermen losing businesses because the fish have left and scientists working around the clock to get ahead of the next bloom. I also uncovered stories of innovation and progress that gave me great hope that a solution is within reach.”
The docuseries is the latest in an effort to create more visibility for challenges caused by harmful algae blooms and the work that is being done to solve for it. Last year on World Water Day, the Foundation announced that it would be the presenting sponsor of The George Barley Water Prize. The global competition, funded by the
On World Water Day in 2011,
“We’re proud of the steps that our company has taken to improve the environment as well as the support that our foundation is providing to groups who share our goals,” said Jim King, president of
To view the full docuseries or learn more about water quality issues and solutions, visit www.ScottsMiracleGroFoundation.org. Follow Andy Mann at www.instagram.com/andy_mann/
About
For media inquiries:
Molly Jennings
ScottsMiracle-Gro
Molly.Jennings@scotts.com
561-681-7683
Kim Metcalfe
Zeno Group for ScottsMiracle-Gro
Kim.Metcalfe@zenogroup.com
312-396-9797
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/86fba814-6908-451f-9b6c-df0ee963cc45