By Peter Woodburn

For Vashon Heritage Museum

David B. Williams, author of the recently published book “Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound,” will join in conversation with Vashon Nature Center (VNC) Executive Director Bianca Perla, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, on Zoom.

The conversation is part of the Vashon Heritage Museum’s free, monthly “Museum Talk” series, and is being presented as the museum prepares for the grand opening of its new exhibition, “Natural Wonder: An Island Shaped by Water,” which was created in partnership with the VNC.

Elsa Croonquist, who is the museum’s executive director, said she was excited to welcome Williams to the series.

“His book details how important our Puget Sound waters are to our unique island environment, and takes a hard look at how the Sound’s fragile ecosystems have been affected by our human habits and climate change,” Croonquist said. “This will be an informative discussion to add to our Natural Wonder programming.”

In his book, Williams examines how generations of humans have interacted with species such as geoducks, salmon, orcas and rockfish. The book also details how warfare shaped the development of the Puget Sound, and how people have moved through its waters in canoes, the mosquito fleet, and eventually, the ferry system we know today.

Williams is a cultural associate at the Burke Museum and also the author of “Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography” and “Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City.”

The Heritage Museum’s “Natural Wonder” exhibit is scheduled to open on Friday, Nov. 5. To find out more and register for the Museum Talk, visit www.vashonheritagemuseum.org.