Host Michelle Lewis interviews filmmaker James Schroeder about his film The Tree Economy, featured at the 2026 Outer Banks Environmental Film Festival. Schroeder explains how living in Atlanta for nearly 30 years inspired the film as the city’s tree canopy is increasingly lost to development, including a beloved stretch of trees clear-cut for a self-storage facility. He discusses balancing tree protection with housing needs, unexpected ties to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, and news that Atlanta’s canopy is at its lowest recorded level after a delayed 2024 assessment. They compare development impacts in Atlanta and North Carolina’s Outer Banks, touch on joys and challenges of filmmaking, preview the walkable festival atmosphere in Manteo, and share sources of hope and priorities for putting public health before profit.
00:00 Meet The Tree Economy
00:44 Why James Made It
03:16 Surprises During Filming
04:25 What Viewers Should Take
06:34 Development and Tree Loss
10:33 Joy in the Process
12:14 Filmmaking Pet Peeves
13:39 Outer Banks Festival Guide
16:24 Finding Hope Today
20:11 Climate Stick and Farewell
","author_name":"Michelle Lewis"}