North America holds the highest diversity of mussels with close to 300 recognized mussel taxa. However, the North American continent also holds the greatest number of imperiled mussel species. Much of this diversity as well as many of the associated threats is concentrated in the Eastern and Southeastern United States. For this reason and many others, increased awareness, monitoring, research and protection of this group is critical. During the week of February 24-28, 2014, the West Virginia University Environmental Research Center will be offering a professional development course titled "Freshwater Mussels of West Virginia: Life History and Identification" to be taught by mussel biologist Janet Clayton of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The course consists of one week of intensive work on all aspects of freshwater mussels. Topics include species identification, life history, ecology, conservation status, and management. The class will feature both lectures and hands-on identification of the freshwater mussels found in West Virginia's waters. The class fills a need for many natural resource professionals from a variety of state and private agencies to be taught the skills they need to assess streams and rivers for this sensitive taxa and its habitat. Please visit http://erc.davis.wvu.edu/news/current_newsletter/freshwater-mussel-course for more information.
James T. Anderson, Ph.D. Davis-Michael Professor Forestry and Natural Resources Program Coordinator, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Director, Environmental Research Center West Virginia University (304) 293-3825 http://wildlife.wvu.edu/ http://erc.davis.wvu.edu/
