Much has changed along the Elwha River since the removal of the dams and on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6:30-9 p.m., the Elwha Research Consortium and Peninsula College will host a special public event highlighting researchers and their scientific works following the removal of the Elwha River dams.

Members of the community will be able to see and discuss the river’s evolution as part of a community event associated with the 2015 Elwha River Science Symposium.

This will be the first public gathering to report on restoration of the Elwha River since the last remnants of the dams have been removed and upstream passage for salmon has been restored.

Elwha Science for the Community 2015 will allow the public to view scientific posters and interact with Elwha researchers one-on-one to discuss their work in Peninsula College’s Pirate Union Building.

This will be followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary film, “The Return of the River,” introduced by local filmmakers John Gussman and Jessica Plumb at 7 p.m.

The film documents the Elwha River dam removals and recently won two awards at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, a summit and celebration of wildlife and conservation media. The film also was recognized for Conservation Impact and received the Marian Zunz Award for emerging filmmakers.

Following the film, a panel discussion will provide additional opportunity for the community to discuss the research and science associated with these ground-breaking dam removals.

The panel will include Dr. Guy Gelfenbaum from the U.S. Geological Survey, Dr. George Pess from NOAA, Kim Sager-Fradkin from the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe and Andy Ritchie and Josh Chenoweth from Olympic National Park.

The event is free and open to the public, with advance registration requested.

For more information or to register, visit www.elwharesearchconsortium.wildapricot.org.

Other inquiries can be made to the organizing committee at info2015elwha@gmail.com.