Group to show documentary about sand mining

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County presents a free screening of the documentary "The Price of Sand: Silica Mines, Small Towns, And Money" at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at McHenry County College's Luecht Conference Center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

This special screening of "The Price of Sand," the award-winning film by Jim Tittle, describes the negative impacts of frac sand mining on communities and the environment. It is a documentary about the frac sand mining boom in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Due to a rapid increase in demand, pure silica sand has become a valuable commodity, and mines are opening there at a rapid rate. The film examines the local impacts of sand mining and the challenges faced by small towns in the region.

"The goal of making this documentary was to find the real price of frac sand - not just in dollars, but in lives, friendships, families and the future of our region," says director Jim Tittle.

The event is free and open to the public, and is co-sponsored by Small Waters Education, Citizens Climate Lobby, and League of Women Voters. Hosted by MCC Sustainability Center and the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides community residents with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions. For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call (815) 338-0393.