BADUWA’T DOCUMENTARY
The Baduwa’t Watershed Council is proud to present an upcoming documentary, launching in December, 2024. This film tells the powerful story of the Baduwa’t River—its deep importance to our community, its uncertain future, and the urgent need to Restore, Reclaim, and Protect it for generations to come.
By donating, you can help us spread the word. You can also host a screening to help increase awareness. Your support is key to ensuring that more people learn about the river’s significance and how we can all make a difference. Donate today and help share the story of Baduwa’t.
TRAILER FOR BADUWA’T DOCUMENTARY
can traditions of the past and better land practices save THE baduwa’t watershed before it’s too late?
Unite to RECLAIM Baduwa’t. RESTORE traditional land practices. PROTECT a climate refuge now or it will be lost in the future.
Baduwa’t, also known as the Mad River, is one of the most remote watersheds Northern California. For the Wiyot people, it’s never been Mad, it’s always been Baduwa’t. The Wiyot tribe had managed this watershed sustainably for thousands of years until 1849 when colonizers, seeking to claim a safe harbor for the U.S. Military and teh quickest way to transport goods from the North Coast to San Francisco, erroneously named the river Mad - that name was adopted by the United States government, but not the Wiyot tribe. Since then, Baduwa’t faces threats that could mean the end of a unique watershed. Not only is this river a climate refuge for wildlife and fisheries, it’s also the drinking water for over 90% of Humboldt County’s population.
Reclaiming the name Baduwa’t brings the Wiyot tribe recognition of a watershed occupied and managed traditionally by them and neighboring tribes for thousands of years.
In this film, we reveal how poor land management practices have impacted the Baduwa’t ecosystem, and how applying tribal traditional ways and improved land practices can shift the balance toward recovery and can significantly impact the ecological balance and the community.
With your help we can distribute the film to continue our efforts to RECLAIM, RESTORE, AND PROTECT Baduwa’t.
Reclaim
“It’s not Mad River, it is Baduwa’t.” ~ Michelle Hernandez, Wiyot Tribal Member
Reclaiming the original name, Baduwa’t, instead of "Mad River," is a powerful step in honoring the Indigenous heritage of this vital watershed. Baduwa’t, meaning ‘source of life,’ has been the lifeblood of the Wiyot and neighboring tribes for thousands of years, who have traditionally managed the river using sustainable methods. The river, stretching 113 miles through Humboldt County, California, was renamed "Mad River" by colonizers in 1849 after a trivial argument among explorers surveying the area. This name, later adopted by the U.S. government without the consent of the Wiyot or other tribes, erased its true cultural significance. Restoring the name Baduwa’t acknowledges the deep connection Indigenous peoples have to this land and river, and it brings awareness to the history, stewardship, and resilience of the Wiyot and their ancestors.
Donate to help us distribute this film.
“We’re creating a movement and it’s all starting in this little community.”
RESTORE
“The watershed was hammered pretty hard and it’s going to take more time for it to heal.” ~ Bill Trush, PhD-Stream Ecologist
The renaming of Baduwa’t to "Mad River" marked the beginning of a series of destructive events, including the gold, timber, and green rushes, that have severely impacted the watershed. Poor land management practices, coupled with the ongoing effects of climate change, continue to threaten this unique ecosystem. Baduwa’t is not only a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and fisheries, but it also provides drinking water for nearly 90,000 people—most of Humboldt County’s residents. By restoring the Baduwa’t watershed, we can reverse decades of damage and ensure that this vital source of life thrives for future generations.
Donate to help us Restore the Baduwa’t Watershed.
“I believe we are at a tipping point. We need to look back at traditional ways and improve our practices here. And that’s being done.”
PROTECT
“I think it’s great to try to lock in permanent protections for resources that we haven’t yet screwed up. That’s really what it’s all about.” ~ Jared Huffman, Congressman 2nd District California
Baduwa’t is not just a river; it’s a climate refuge, a source of life for wildlife, fish, and thousands of residents. By supporting the protection and restoration of Baduwa’t, you can help safeguard this critical watershed for generations to come. Together, we can return to traditional land stewardship, implement sustainable management practices, and place lasting protections on this vital ecosystem. Your donation is an investment in the future of our river, our community, and the planet.
Donate to help us Protect the Baduwa’t Watershed.
“When you get more people involved, you have a stronger hope base; then, we have more people that are speaking more for the rivers.”
Our documentary Team
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Dave Feral - Executive Producer & Co-Director
Dave is the founder & Executive Director of Baduwa't Watershed Council. He has been working in river restoration, monitoring and research since 1983. Dave got his start in stream restoration volunteering with fellow high school students in Petaluma and working to restore Steelhead runs in San Francisco Bay's Adobe Creek in Palo Alto. He holds a MA in Biology, with and emphasis in watershed ecology. He worked on Coho salmon studies, as a science education consultant and program director for Web of Life Field School.
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Michelle Hernandez - Producer & co-director
Michelle Hernandez is Wiyot and Latina filmmaker. Michelle grew up on the Table Bluff Reservation, where she found her love for filmmaking. She had a Master’s in Film and Electronic Media at American University in Washington, D.C. and a B.A. at Humboldt State University in both Film and Native American Studies.
Much of her work focuses on the importance of culture, traditions, and identity, as well as dealing with Indigenous subjects. With her work she gives voice to stories that aren’t often told. She is the co-founder of Sugarbush Hill Productions, which she currently runs with her partner, Richie Wenzler. Her latest works include Douk and The Bartow Project.
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lynette Nutter - Producer
Lynette Nutter is a producer, videographer, and editor who is passionate about telling stories across various platforms.
She honed her skills at capturing stories in news, sports, talk, and documentary formats for studios like Sony, Paramount, and Warner Brothers.
As founder of A Nutter Production, a story-based marketing and video production agency, she has led production teams to identify, develop, and execute initiatives based on story, including: The California Environmental Legacy Project, Detroit Institute of Music Education, Food For People and more.
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Will Goldenberg - Cinematographer & editor
Will Goldenberg is an ecologist and cinematographer based in the redwoods of Northern California. With graduate degrees in wildlife management (Humboldt State University) and wildlife filmmaking (University of the West of England/ BBC Natural History Unit), Will now explores the interface of science and art as a specialist cinematographer/photographer for natural history films, ecological research projects and environmental documentaries.
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Richie Wenzler - Editor
Richie Wenzler received his MFA in Film and Electronic Media at American University and earned a double B.A. in Telecommunications and Communications & Culture at Indiana University. Currently living in the Los Angeles area, Richie primarily does freelance editing work, where he does an assortment of projects from music videos to narrative shorts, while also honing in his abilities making vlogs. Somewhat of an introvert, his biggest claim to fame was appearing in a Buzzfeed video, where people didn’t get the joke he was making.
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Dano Grayson - cinematographer
Wildlife expert and camera operator, Dano Grayson has been fascinated with animals and nature his entire life, and it is now he is sharing his works with the world. Dano’s work has been featured on: Netflix, BBC, National Geographic, and Apple TV.