Educational Media Reviews Online

Environmentalists face battles in a variety of arenas; water, air, and land resources are continually under assault by those in our society who fail to recognize the earth's limits for abuse. In this program, we witness the damages caused by all types of off-road vehicles (jet skis, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, trucks, etc.) to protected public lands and waterways. Essentially, the core conflict stems from too many people, too few areas for recreation, and our culture's maniacal infatuation with all things motorized. The 1800's saw a similar battle between farmers and livestock ranchers in the American over limited land.

The producer attempts a balanced presentation, sharing the views of those who feel that the public should be allowed total use of public lands, including the manufacturers of off-road/water recreational vehicles, while others wish to protect the set-aside lands in their natural state for future generations to enjoy. However, viewers quickly sense that the program sides with the protectionist faction; we first hear the views of both sides and then witness the damage which has been done so far to national forests and parks from the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois to the California desert. Those wishing a low-key, non-hysterical presentation of this topic from the upper elementary grades through college should seriously consider this title -- despite its hefty $225 purchase price.