When you hear the term IMAX, it often conjures images of captivating documentaries that plunge you into the heart of volcanoes, explore the depths of the ocean, ascend majestic mountains, or journey to far-off galaxies. Alternatively, it may remind you of expansive screen adventures that offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of legendary rockstars or Hollywood’s cinematic magic.

This year, however, Ohio has harnessed this powerful technology to narrate a tale of environmental revival much closer to home.

“Ohio: Wild at Heart” showcases the state’s premier park system, spotlighting efforts in wildlife conservation and the rejuvenating influence of outdoor activities. Over the course of more than a year, this $2.5 million initiative—financed through education and information funds—has been captivating audiences at science museums across Ohio and is set to make its way into classrooms next year.

Mary Mertz, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director, describes it as “a heartfelt tribute to our mission of safeguarding natural resources while enhancing exploration opportunities.”

With narration by Ohio State football legend Archie Griffin, the documentary presents the state’s diverse landscapes on an epic scale—from the Lake Erie shores adorned with lighthouses in the north to the striking limestone formations in the Hocking Hills of the south.

The efforts take on outsized meaning given the historical context. It was the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland catching on fire in 1969 that sparked the modern environmental movement and the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Just ahead of the 50th anniversary of the fire six years ago, the river’s fish were declared once again safe to eat.

Many more environmental success stories are featured in “Ohio: Wild at Heart.” They include a former Blackhawk pilot’s efforts to successfully relocate rare trumpeter swans to Ohio marshlands, as well as wildlife biologists’ program to repopulate once endangered bald eagles. Ohio’s governor, Republican Mike DeWine, and his wife Fran, show off family-friendly nature paths lined with pages from children’s stories known as “ storybook trails.”

Nature’s mental health benefits are also emphasized.

“People feel like you have to go far away to experience nature,” a naturalist on screen says. “We restore nature, nature restores us,” a volunteer says.

People feature in the film credit recreational activities as varied as hiking, kayaking, birding, ice fishing and dog-sledding with restoring their bodies, benefiting their mental health, combating loneliness and salvaging their self-esteem.

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Videojournalist Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos contributed to this report.