NEW LONDON, N.H. – Colby-Sawyer College presents a screening of Redefining Prosperity: The Gold Rushes of Nevada City followed by a discussion with producer John de Graaf. The free event, open to the public, will be held on Wednesday, March 21, at 7:30 PM. in Clements Hall in the Curtis L. Ivey Science Center.

The newly released one-hour documentary features Nevada City citizens and the back-to-the-land movement that helped revitalize and unite the former California Gold Rush town while generating a deeper dialogue about sustainable environments. Following the film, de Graaf will answer questions and discuss the campaign “And Beauty for All,”  a national effort to restore ecosystems and revitalize communities.

Colby-Sawyer’s Director of Sustainability and Innovation Jennifer White ’90 worked with the college’s Cultural Events Committee to bring the co-founder of Take Back Your Time and The Happiness Initiative to New Hampshire.

John’s enduring work sits at the intersection of community wellbeing, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability,” said White. “He understands how to uncover the leverage points that we can all access to promote positive change in our lives — the same foundations at the core of what drives our operations and programming at Colby-Sawyer.”

Fifteen of de Graaf’s documentaries, including the popular “Affluenza,” have been broadcast nationally on PBS. His books include the bestseller Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic, now in its third edition, and What’s the Economy For, Anyway? His work and speaking engagements involve exploration of the intersection of happiness, work-life balance, consumerism, health and sustainability. de Graaf has taught at The Evergreen State College and recently served as an adviser to the government of Bhutan as it develops its Gross National Happiness project proposal for the United Nations.