Chase W. Fleece

Hello! Bonjour! 

I’m currently a second-year master’s student in the Department of History at Bowling Green State University (Ohio). As an environmental historian of Canada and the United States, my research broadly explores the intersections of anthropogenic pollution, commodity production, and foreign relations in the twentieth century—especially in the Great Lakes region. More specifically, I’m interested in how a changing ecology—from eutrophication and extirpation to wetland loss and nutrient runoff—influenced policymakers to draft, ratify, and implement binational natural resource management agreements beginning in the 1960s.  Amid the novel dynamics of the Anthropocene, these histories illuminate the global implications of North American environmental diplomacy and warn us about the dangers of complacency in our age of crisis. 

In addition to my work inside the academy, I’m also a passionate public historian who views community collaboration and engagement as an extension of scholarly work. As such, I currently sit on the Board of Directors at the Hardin County Historical Museums in Kenton, Ohio. In this role, I provide insights into pedagogy, repatriation, digital methods, and advocacy. More recently, I served on a select long-term sustainability committee tasked with reworking the museum’s mission, funding structure, and strategic planning. Furthermore, I also volunteer as a judge and mentor for the Ohio History Day: Region 1 competition held annually in Bowling Green, Ohio. 

If you’d like to learn more about my research and past experience, feel free to use the site navigation and attached CV. Please use the Google Forum below to leave any questions, comments, or media inquiries!