Artist(s)

Stephanie Ashenfelder

Steve Smith

Artist Statement

In a quiet, sun-dappled clearing, a gathering of forest critters come together, their eyes reflecting a mix of uncertainty and fear. An elder Spinosaurus steps forward, its long neck swaying gently as it begins to speak in a deep, soothing rumble. "Dear friends," it begins, "we stand at a crossroads in time, a moment where our existence hangs in the balance. Our world is changing, but change does not necessarily mean the end.” In this video montage, we imagine a dinosaur makes a comeback to Earth, delivering a crucial message to animals regarding the looming danger of extinction. Interspersed within the footage are quotes from children about climate change, sourced from the ADK Climate Stories Project and collected at The Wild Center in the Adirondack Park. These quotes forge a link between Earth's history, its current state, and our potential future. The purity and optimism found in the children's reflections serve as a remedy for the sense of climate-related hopelessness that can pervade our thoughts.