Burning Rivers

Michigan Green Leader Dr. John Hartig will discuss his book Burning Rivers: Revival of Four Urban-Industrial Rivers that Caught on Fire during a lecture at Cranbrook Institute of Science on Friday, May 13 at 7pm. A book signing and garden tour are included in the lecture which is free with admission to the Institute of Science. Copies of the book will be available following Dr. Hartig’s presentation for $35 each. All proceeds go to the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society. To register for the event, please email water@cranbrook.edu, or call 248 645.3008.

Burning Rivers explores how four rivers in the Great Lakes Basin, including the Detroit region’s own Rouge River, caught fire because of oil pollution. Dr. Hartig will discuss how indiscriminate use and abuse of these aquatic ecosystems led to them becoming polluted, culminating with river fires and present evidence of how today each is experiencing dramatic environmental improvement, as well as how it is being achieved.

The book is written for a lay audience. It presents insights on the environmental history, translates the science, provides practical lessons learned in river stewardship, and will inspire people to be good stewards of rivers. This story of burning rivers/river revival also gives hope. If these four river systems can be revived and made into community assets, there is hope for all rivers and all people and organizations working to restore river ecosystems. Everyone interested in the environment, conservation, and sustainability will learn something from this book.

“This book ably covers what one must learn from the past tragedies, the successes we must celebrate, and the importance of the plans we must make for the future of all our waterways so that our children and grandchildren may love and enjoy them as we do,” notes Congressman John D. Dingell. “The lessons highlighted in this book are important reading for anyone wishing to protect and preserve rivers for future generations.”

Visitors are invited to tour the Erb Family Science Garden at the Institute of Science from 5:30-7pm, with a guided tour at 6:30pm. The garden is the Institute’s largest living exhibition and features Michigan native plants and ecosystems. A new guide, developed by the Cranbrook Upper Schools Winter Semester 2011 Botany Class, will be available with support from the Americana Foundation. Tour and lecture are limited to 175 on a first-come, first-seated basis. The event is free with museum admission, however advance registration is requested.