Kicking off March fundraising with the story of Paul Petersen

Production is progressing on "Monty and Rose 2," but we still need additional gifts to make the film a reality! Your contribution will go to editing and production costs.

This is the first in a series of profiles in March that show how a pair of Piping Plovers have inspired so many. Here’s the perspective of Paul Petersen, a software executive from Burr Ridge who’s donated to “Monty and Rose.” Can you help protect a Chicago endangered species by donating before the March 31 deadline? -Bob

The story was front page: small birds on the beach and the clash with a big city. It was a story of the 2019 summer, the plover’s fragile reality, and the birders who stood watch.

One of the things that struck me was a comment from one of the executives about the concert [Mamby at the Beach]. He said something about “so it’s one species where does it all end.” It struck me that so many more people need to be educated. Life is so much richer with a variety of animals. Here is a plover that is so vulnerable. I thought with that comment, and I thought maybe a documentary that got the story out--and not just because the plovers are cute. I thought the plovers might be a great story vehicle for the plight of animals conflicting with an urban area environment. But that guy--we have to counter that thought. 

​The plovers offered a very, pure simple story about intermixing with the urban environment and what mankind’s reaction to that should be. And the fact that they’re cute--that gets so much more publicity. As I travel for work, people are asking me about the plovers in Chicago. 

While the plover may or may not be the species that saves mankind, I think the world is a little less beautiful if we lose a species. So you have to learn from the ones you can work with. 
I contributed to the first film as I knew this truly was Part 1. Now we have follow-up reports on the plovers and chick sightings. Part 2 will be an important sequel that adds more depth to this ongoing saga.

The [first] film is concise, well-filmed with a spritely pace and straightforward perspective.
I’ve already contributed for Part 2. Can’t wait.

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