Museum will host a free screening of “Making Waves: Battle for the Great Lakes,” exploring the impact of aquatic invasive species, on Nov. 14
CHICAGO (November 5, 2026) – The Chicago History Museum is proud to conclude this year’s Dave Truitt Historical Documentary Series with a free screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary “Making Waves: Battle for the Great Lakes” at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at the Chicago History Museum. Narrated by legendary anchorman Bill Kurtis, “Making Waves” explores the impacts of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and the efforts underway to control and prevent them. A panel discussion with the filmmakers and experts from the film will immediately follow the screening. An RSVP is required to attend the event.
“Making Waves” takes viewers below the surface of one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem and into the middle of a complex fight for survival. For more than a century, non-native species of plants, fish, invertebrates and microscopic organisms have been silently invading the Great Lakes. These invasive species are transforming the ecosystem from top to bottom, pushing some native species to the brink of extinction, threatening ecological diversity and costing the region hundreds of millions of dollars in control costs and lost revenue annually. “Making Waves” chronicles the path of this invasion, joining researchers on the front lines as they combat invasives and work to restore native species in an effort to prevent a biological takeover of the Great Lakes.
Created by Chicago-area filmmakers Brendan and Jessica Walsh of Great Lakes Media & Film, the feature-length documentary premiered on Chicago PBS station WTTW in September 2016 and has since aired on PBS stations in 11 states, Ontario and Quebec, as well as screened as an Official Selection at eight U.S. film festivals. The film earned a 2017 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement for Topical Documentary.
The need to help raise public awareness about invasive species to protect the Great Lakes was clear for the Walshes. The Great Lakes hold 20 percent of the planet’s surface freshwater and supply drinking water to over 40 million people. More than 35 million people call the region home, and the Great Lakes sustain a roughly $20 billion recreational fishery and boating industry that drives local economies. More than 180 invasive species are in the Great Lakes watershed, and new invasive species are always on the radar. The invasive silver carp is of special concern as it threatens to enter the Great Lakes via Lake Michigan. One of several invasive fish known as Asian carp, the filter-feeding silver carp could upset the Great Lakes food web and is known to leap out of the water with passing boats, creating a danger to boaters and anglers.
“Making Waves” weaves together the stories of scientists, fishermen and organizations around the Great Lakes to bring the effects of invasive species home for viewers and reveal what the average person can do to help.
“That has been our main goal with the film — to open people’s eyes to the issue and help make it real for them, hopefully inspiring them to do what they can to help prevent the spread or introduction of invasive species,” said “Making Waves” film producer Jessica Walsh. “Prevention is key to fighting invasive species, and education and public awareness are the first step. We aim to engage the public and start the conversation in a new way, through ‘Making Waves.’”
The screening of the documentary “Making Waves: Battle for the Great Lakes” is underwritten by the DAVE TRUITT Historical Documentary Series.
The post-film panel discussion will include filmmakers Brendan and Jessica Walsh; Philip Willink, PhD, Illinois Natural History Survey; Lindsay Chadderton, The Nature Conservancy; and Bruce Caruso, Perch America.
For more information, visit the Chicago History Museum’s event page here or contact Lauren Edstrom, Chicago History Museum Development Events Manager, at [email protected].
“Making Waves: Battle for the Great Lakes” is made possible in part by the Chicago Marine Heritage Society and its founding chairman, Captain Dave Truitt; The Nature Conservancy, with support from Fortune Brands Home & Security; and The BoatU.S. Foundation. “Making Waves” is fiscally sponsored by Chicago Filmmakers, a 501(c)3 organization.
For more information on “Making Waves,” visit www.makingwavesdocumentary.com.
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The Chicago History Museum is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers. Established in 1856, the Museum is located at 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park, its third location. A major museum and research center for Chicago and U.S. history, the Chicago History Museum strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, publications, special events and programming, the Museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other. The Museum collects and preserves millions of artifacts, documents, and images to assist in sharing Chicago stories. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago.