Join Patrice Mutchnick, nature educator, environmental advocate, and "Heart of the Gila" founder as she walks with children along the Gila River in New Mexico where they learn to engage in the wonders of the natural world through exploration, observation and discovery.

The Heart of the Gila seeks to conserve watersheds and educate children, adults, and decision makers about the ecological, social, economic and cultural values of rivers in New Mexico and the bioregions of the greater Southwest.

The Gila River is a 649-mile tributary of the Colorado River flowing through New Mexico and Arizona in the United States. The river drains an arid watershed of nearly 60,000 square miles that extends into northern Sonora, Mexico. The headwaters of the this river are located in The Gila Wilderness, one of the world's first designated wilderness areas on June 3, 1924. The Gila Wilderness and River remain one of the most precious areas for habitat and ecological diversity.

Music is used in this educational film with permission of the copyright holders.