As some of you may have heard from recent news stories, we are currently facing a human-initiated species invasion of potentially devastating proportions. This invasion is from two relatively recently introduced non-native species: the bighead carp and silver or "flying" carp. Because they are highly efficient filter feeders, both were introduced to aquiculture ponds in Arkansas in the early 1970's as biological filters to keep the ponds clean. They escaped these ponds because of floods in the 1980's and by the 1990's had spread throughout the Mississippi River system. They now dominate large portions of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers and their tributaries. There are fears that they will spread through man-made canals from the Mississippi River system into the Great Lakes. If they successfully invade the Great Lakes most scientists agree they will bring ecological devastation to the region.

"On the Impact of Flying Carp" is a new project initiated to educate people about this complex and evolving problem and to stimulate discussion about potential solutions. The project began as a multi-media presentation given by BD Collier in the spring of 2010 in Chicago, IL. Collier has continued to give the presentation and because of the seriousness of the issue, he and the SRNE are working on expanding the project into an exhibition that can be installed in venues throughout the Midwestern regions which has been most directly affected by the invasion.

Collier is currently seeking venues for the exhibition. Please contact him at bdcollier@societyrne.net if you have any questions about the project.