From Forest to Shore: Stories of Michigan’s Land and Lakes- Commercial Fishing on Lake Michigan

A Collaborative Lecture Series by Kalamazoo Nature Center & Michigan Maritime Museum

Discover the rich tapestry of Michigan’s natural landscapes and maritime heritage in this engaging lecture series. From Forest to Shore brings together maritime experts and naturalists to explore the deep connections between the state’s inland ecosystems and its Great Lakes waterways. Through captivating stories, scientific insights, and cultural perspectives, each lecture will highlight how forests, wetlands, and shorelines have shaped Michigan’s history, ecology, and communities. Join us as we journey across time and terrain—celebrating the resilience of nature and the enduring legacy of life along the lakes.

Join Michigan Maritime Museum Director Bailey Sisoy-Moore as she explores the rich, often gritty history of one of the Great Lakes’ most important industries! Trace the evolution of commercial fishing on Lake Michigan from Indigenous fishing traditions and early hand-set gill nets to steam-powered tugs, state regulation, and the industrialization that reshaped the trade and meet the people who pulled their livelihood from the lake and the communities that grew up around docks and nets.

Tickets are free for Michigan Maritime Museum members and Kalamazoo Nature Center members. $10 for non-members.

This event will be hosted at Kalamazoo Nature Center.