Andy Bach to discuss environmental history of the Ozette Prairies Feb. 10

Andy Bach, an associate professor of environmental geography at Western Washington University, will discuss his research exploring the relationship between historical vegetation changes in the Ozette Prairies, Olympic National Park, and human use of this region Feb. 10.

The lecture, “Archival Evidence for Historical Changes in Lowland Wilderness Meadows, Ozette Prairies, Olympic National Park,” will be held in the Map Collection (Wilson Library 170) at Western Libraries from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Using a multi-media archival approach to understand the environmental history of the area, examining repeat air and ground photography, maps, and written records, Bach determined that the prairies originally began as natural wetlands before fire was used by indigenous peoples and European settlers to expand and maintain them. Later, in the absence of disturbance, they eventually began to revert to forest cover.

Bach’s research combines the use of historical maps with field methods of soil science, ecology, and geomorphology, to understand how natural landscapes of Washington have changed over time.

This event is being offered as part of the “Speaking of Maps” lectures, and is co-sponsored by Western Libraries and WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment.

“Speaking of Maps” are quarterly talks designed to highlight the use and value of maps in research, in teaching and learning, and in daily life.