Sun Prairie Earth Month: Film Screenings, Workshops & Water Conservation Events

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, residents will have the opportunity to view a new documentary examining the ecological impact of the Colorado River alongside a month of Earth Month activities focused on water conservation, beginning April 1.

The city’s Earth Month theme, “Our Actions Create Ripples,” centers on the importance of protecting waterways, with events ranging from library screenings to hands-on workshops. Among the featured films is The American Southwest, a wildlife documentary narrated by Quannah Chasinghorse that explores the challenges facing the Colorado River, including the effects of dams and water overuse. The film, released in select theaters and digitally in September 2025, incorporates an indigenous perspective, made in association with Natives Outdoors.

According to a media release, The American Southwest showcases the region’s wildlife, “such as industrious beavers, bugling bull elk, and soaring condors,” while also advocating for better river management. Director Ben Masters previously helmed the documentary The River and the Wall, and the new film aims to “endear millions of people to better cherish, love, and conserve this unique region,” as stated in promotional materials.

The Sun Prairie Public Library will also screen the animated film Ice Age, highlighting themes of perseverance and climate change. Beyond the screenings, the city is offering workshops on creating native rain gardens to improve water infiltration, building pollinator water stations, and planting trees. A Repair Café will also be held, encouraging residents to fix broken household items instead of discarding them.

Residents can purchase rain barrels at a reduced cost, with a $30 rebate available, through a partnership with Dane County and the Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership. The city will also host a wastewater treatment plant tour, offering a behind-the-scenes seem at how wastewater is cleaned and repurposed.

Hannah Best, Sustainability Program Coordinator for Sun Prairie, stated the city hopes the events will “inspire our community to take action, care for our natural world, and in turn, one another.” A full schedule of Earth Month events is available on the city’s website.