Cal Poly to Host Screening of California’s Environmental History Documentary Oct. 23

Cal Poly will host a screening of the newly released documentary “Becoming California” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, in Spanos Theatre on campus. The screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session with Producer/Director Kit Tyler and Executive Producer Jeffrey White.

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The film explores California’s environmental history, tracking how civilized society has built and shaped our current environment. Viewers are taken on a journey tracking the history of California and offering a tangible vision for the future of nature and society.

Narrated by award-winning actress Jane Fonda, the documentary is presented in three acts: “Assembling California,” “Reinventing California,” and “Reconciling California.” Throughout the film, audiences will gain an understanding of the evolution of the state’s environment, moving from its original natural state to its reinvention as a result of ever-increasing human populations and resource exploitation. The documentary strives to show how people and nature can meet halfway for a more sustainable future.

“Becoming California” was created by a diverse team and supported by an advisory board that included Cal Poly Social Sciences Department Chair Terry Jones. Acclaimed filmmaker Tyler directed and produced the film, White and Jim Baxter were the film’s executive producers, and award-winning jazz musician Pat Metheny composed the musical score.

Cal Poly helped fund the documentary project. The screening is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and the Biology and Social Sciences departments. The event is free and open to the public.