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National wildlife refuge observes May as mussel month

The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge invites the public to a special Mussel Month event running the entire month of May. The wildlife refuge will be hosting guest speakers at the top of their field, teach about the river and provide craft time activities for children, and all of this is in addition to a brand new mussel-themed exhibit the wildlife refuge is excited to exhibit. The exhibit will include a live mussel tank where visitors will have the chance to get up close and personal with these often overlooked yet fascinating animals. Other exhibits provide information on why mussels are so important both for humans and the Ohio River ecosystem. A list of currently scheduled events can be found below.

Mussel Month will be held at the Refuge Visitor Center, located at 3982 Waverly Road in Williamstown. Starting in May, the center will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., so the public can stop by anytime to learn why the value of mussels is undeniable. Those who do stop by will never see the river the same way again.

May 5 — grand opening

May 5: Grand opening of “Meet the Mussels” exhibit

10 a.m.: “Meet the Mussels” – crafts for kids.

1 p.m.: Ieva Roznere, Museum of Biological Diversity, Ohio State University.

May 12

What relationship do mussels have with other animals in the river? Why are 70 percent of mussel species threatened or endangered? These questions are closely related — find out how at this intriguing program, where Ieva Roznere focuses on the extraordinary life cycle of mussels.

May 12: 10 a.m. — “Meet the Mussels” – crafts for kids.

7 p.m.: Guest Speaker, Jo Ann Banda, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Biologist.

May 15

Every day, we use a diverse range of chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and flame retardants used in almost everything. Explore how our actions are causing problems for fish and mussels.

May 15: 7 p.m. — Guest speaker, Lisa Dugas, Pennsylvania Archeological Council.

May 19 and 22

Do you want to learn more about how ancient native cultures used freshwater mussels? You may be surprised by what we’ve discovered. Lisa will specifically cover how the mussels were used by the “Panhandle Archaic Culture.”

May 19: 10 a.m. – “Meet the Mussels” – crafts for kids.

May 22: 7 p.m. – Guest speaker, Janet Clayton, Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Mussel Program Leader, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.

May 26 and 31

Join Wildlife Diversity Biologist Janet Clayton to learn about West Virginia’s program to survey, monitor and restore freshwater mussels. She will share Videos of mussels and provide information about mussel reintroductions in the Ohio River.

May 26: 10 a.m. – “Meet the Mussels” – crafts for kids.

May 31: 7 p.m. – Guest speaker, Tyler Hern, Fisheries Biologist, White Sulphur Springs.

National Fish

Hatchery

Join us as Fisheries Biologist Tyler Hern highlights the role Fish Hatcheries play in freshwater mussel propagation; discussing the many trials and tribulations of growing mussels to be reintroduced to the wild.

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