University of Connecticut Avery Point and Connecticut Audubon Society to Host Screening of “Flyway of Life”

University of Connecticut Avery Point and Connecticut Audubon Society to Host Screening of “Flyway of Life”

“Flyway of Life,” an awe-inspiring documentary celebrating the Atlantic Flyway and the incredible migratory journey of North America’s birds by an award-winning filmmaker will be shown in a free special screening Oct. 1 at the University of Connecticut Avery Point.

The presentation is being made possible by The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at UConn Avery Point and Sacred Heart University Media & the Arts, in partnership with The Explorers Club New England Chapter, Canon USA, the Connecticut Audubon Society and the National Audubon Society. Filmmaker Tomas Koeck, a Sacred Heart alumnus, received a 2024 Connecticut Sea Grant Arts Support award for his Flyway of Life project, which supported the publication of a companion book to the film.

“Flyway of Life” highlights how different environments are important for bird populations along the Atlantic Flyway. Featuring wildlife scientists, conservationists, and naturalists, the film explores several different ecosystems along America’s easternmost migration path—showing how different habitats are interconnected. From Canada’s frozen tundra to the lush Costa Rican jungle, viewers will see how birds connect both our ecosystems and our own relationship with the natural world.

Tomas Koeck is an award-winning filmmaker, Canon USA-backed photographer, speaker/presenter, and expeditionist. He’s a storyteller, an environmentalist, and, most importantly, an optimist. He has been on assignment for National Geographic, Smithsonian Channel, PBS Nature, and others covering stories throughout North America and seeks to give a voice to wildlife through journalism, storytelling, and advocacy.

The October 1 event will take place at the University of Connecticut Avery Point’s Alexey von Schlippe Gallery and the campus auditorium in Groton, Connecticut. Attendees will begin at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at 4 pm with a reception and exhibition of photographs by Tomas Koeck. At 4:30 pm Tomas Koeck and John Dodd of the Atlantic Shark Institute will discuss Tomas’s new project documenting sharks off Block Island. At 5:30 pm visitors will make a short walk to the campus auditorium for the 6pm screening for “Flyway of Life” followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker, and book signing.

“We invite audiences to witness the beauty and significance of one of nature’s greatest spectacles—the migration of birds across the Atlantic Flyway,” said Tomas Koeck, director of the project and Sacred Heart alumnus. “What started as a documentary about birds has metamorphosed to a film on how birds connect all of our environments, and vice versa.”

“This film resonates deeply with our mission,” said Alisha Milardo, Director of the Connecticut Audubon Society Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center. “At the Estuary Center, we dedicate ourselves to future generations through experiential education and conservation of our land, waters, and the species that inhabit them. Flyway of Life brings those connections to life on screen—showing how birds link our ecosystems and reminding us that protecting habitats is essential to protecting biodiversity. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2025, this screening is a perfect reflection of the work we’ve done for a decade to inspire people of all ages to connect with and protect the natural world.”

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage with conservation leaders and explore the intersection of science, storytelling, and environmental advocacy. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a film lover, or a champion for sustainability, this event promises an unforgettable experience.

Event Details:
Location: University of Connecticut Avery Point, 1084 Shennecossett Rd. Groton, CT; Alexey von Schlippe Gallery, Branford House, 2nd Floor
Date: Wednesday October 1st 2025
Schedule:
• 4pm – Gallery exhibition and reception
• 4:30 pm – Tomas Koeck in conversation with John Dodd, Atlantic Shark Institute
• 5:30pm – end of gallery event
• 6:00pm – “Flyway of Life” film screening and Q &A with Tomas Koeck at the campus auditorium

Venue:
The event is hosted at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery (Branford House, 2nd floor) and the Avery Point Auditorium (AUD) (Academic Building): Directions | Campus Map.pdf.
Parking is free after 5 p.m.; closest lots are near the library (LIB) or in Lot B.
AVS Gallery: The elevator is best accessed at the Welcome Center entrance on the far side of the building. Once you’ve entered, make a left before the stairwell; or enter at the main entrance, bear left and climb the grand staircase.

Auditorium: Enter from the Academic Building main entrance, the auditorium is on second floor at the end of the hall (mobility-disabled accessible); or enter through or near the Student Center and go up two flights of stairs. Campus Map.pdf

Links
Flyway of Life Website: https://www.flywayfilm.com/
Flyway of Life Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s62eiDK5qZQ

Contacts:
• Tomas Koeck — Director, Flyway of Life — tomaskoeck@gmail.com — 203-455-4671
• Alisha Milardo — Director, RTPEC — amilardo@ctaudubon.org
• Syma Ebbin — CT Sea Grant — syma.ebbin@uconn.edu
• Jeanne Ciravolo — UConn Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art — jeanne.ciravolo@uconn.edu

About the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
At Connecticut Audubon’s Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, we dedicate ourselves to future generations through experiential education and the conservation of our land, waters, and the species that inhabit them. Established in 2015 as a regional center of The Connecticut Audubon Society, the Estuary Center focuses on protecting and conserving the dominant ecosystems of Southeastern Connecticut, with programs reaching more than 8,000 students annually. Through innovative science, hands-on education, and community engagement, the Estuary Center works to protect the biodiversity of the Connecticut River Estuary and Long Island Sound, while continuing the legacy of renowned naturalist Roger Tory Peterson. In 2025, the Estuary Center proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of inspiring people of all ages to connect with, learn from, and help protect the natural world.