Student films that have been entered in the annual "Keep Streamsides Greener, Keep Water Cleaner" competition are available for viewing on Facebook.
The public is invited to view the videos at http://www.facebook.com/ carsonriver?v=app_2392950137 and vote for their favorites.
A panel of judges is also reviewing the entries and will select the winners, who will be honored at the Carson River Film Festival Jan. 27 in Carson City.
Students from schools located within the Carson River watershed were invited to enter this year's competition, which is designed to spark creative messages about preserving, protecting and restoring the river and its sensitive shoreline.
Winners of the "Keep Streamsides Greener, Keep Water Cleaner" competition will receive $250 cash prizes and have their work shown at the film festival.
The 1- to 3-minute information videos focus on how the Carson River benefits people and the community. All entries were required to include an action message which prompts people to take steps to help protect the river. The contest is sponsored by the Carson River Coalition Education Working Group.
"We're looking for short video projects that creatively explain why the Carson River's riparian area is important and what people can do to help it," said coalition member and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension water quality specialist Sue Donaldson.
Donaldson explained that riparian areas are sensitive ecosystems occurring along water courses or in water bodies. They have unique soil and plants, and work to store water in a way that helps reduce floods, stabilize streambanks from erosion, filter water for higher quality, provide habitat for birds, mammals and fish, and provide a place for recreation.
The film festival will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Carson City Sheriff's Building, 911 E. Musser St.