Kelly to Give Talk on Changes to Grand Traverse Bay

FROM THE TRAVERSE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
& INLAND SEAS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Historical Changes in Bay Ecology to be Presented at the Traverse Area Historical Society

Tom Kelly, Executive Director of the Inland Seas Education Association, will present an illustrated talk on the changes to the ecology of Grand Traverse Bay on Thursday March 26, at the 7 pm meeting of the Traverse Area Historical Society. The presentation will cover the past two hundred years and consider the impacts of modern settlement, lumbering, dams, fishing, toxic chemicals, invasive species and climate change on the Bay ecosystem.

“Although Grand Traverse Bay remains beautiful and bountiful, it has a radically different ecosystem from when European settlers first arrived”, stated Kelly. “Many of the aquatic and terrestrial species have been replaced with newcomers, some invited and many not so welcome”. Massive habitat destruction took place in the 19th century due to lumbering practices, dam building and over-fishing. The 20th century brought the sea lamprey, alewife and the zebra mussel. Current issues involve continued exotic species invasions, urbanization and climate change effects.

This presentation is free and open to the public. The Traverse Area Historical Society meets at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center, 322 Sixth Street, Traverse City. For more information contact the Traverse Area Historical Society at 231-929-7663 or Inland Seas at 231-271-3077.


For further information, contact Tom Kelly or Kim Biocchi at (231) 271-3077.
Inland Seas Education Association
P.O. Box 218, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
or
Traverse Area Historical Society at (231) 929-7663
322 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684