Photo by: Shayan Golafshani

The University of Michigan Biological Station kicks off its 2017 Summer Lecture Series Tuesday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. with an all-camp lecture that will explore the upcoming removal of a local dam near UMBS. What will the project entail? Why is the dam being removed? And what might it mean for the surrounding environment? All these questions, and more, will be answered by a panel of experts overseeing the project.

The Conservation Resource Alliance of Traverse City is spearheading the project to restore the Maple River to a more natural state. In addition to CRA representatives Chris Pierce and Kira Davis, other speakers will include: Matt Kowalski, Fish Biologist for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Alpena FWCO; Neal Godby, MDNR Fisheries Biologist for Lake Huron Basin; and Caroline Keson and Max Field of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Natural Resource Department.

During the talk, the speakers will explain the dam removal project and the process for removing the dam at Lake Kathleen. They will also contextualize the project and illustrate the vision, work, and coordination it requires, including the regulatory and permitting process. The speakers also seek to explain why dam removal and river restoration efforts are valuable and important.

The talk is the first in the 2017 Summer Lecture Series at UMBS, which is listed below (see "Associated Files" a PDF of the schedule). For more detailed information about each talk, please visit our website. All talks are held at 7:30 p.m. in the Marian P. and David M. Gates Lecture Hall or Alumni Room. The lecture series is free and open to the public. Please join us at the U-M Biological Station at 9133 Biological Road Pellston, MI 49769. No pets are allowed at UMBS because of ongoing scientific research.