The Historical Transformation of the Manchac Basin Ecosystem: Ecological Degradation at the Hands of Man

by Samuel C. Hyde

To stream this video in its entirety online, click here!

DVD Now Available!

Accompanying book, "One of the Prettiest Spots I Have Seen", now available from PBRP

The environmental catastrophe currently facing the Ponchartrain Basin relates directly to the actions of man. Despite the irrefutable link between environmental degradation and human habitation, no comprehensive ecological history of the Manchac region exists. The Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies has constructed a comprehensive historical survey of the region, highlighting the environmental stressors that have negatively impacted the northern and western Ponchartrain Basin. Our project provides a historical overview that traces how development in the region from first European exploration to the present contributed to the degradation of this irreplaceable ecosystem by assessing long-term environmental changes wrought by human habitation.

Convincing legislators, the general public, and the scientific community of the pressing need for immediate action to safeguard the Ponchartrain Basin remains the first step in finding a solution. To capture the attention of such a disparate group, the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies will coordinate a two part project that will include a printed environmental history of the region illustrating the link between human behavior and the degradation of the environment, as well as a docu-drama film that graphically depicts the main points raised in the manuscript. Both the publication and the film will offer Louisianans an in-depth historical overview of the major forces that have contributed to the crisis currently facing the northern and western Ponchartrain Basin.

For more about the book or DVD or to request a copy, please contact pbrp@selu.edu.