Growing up in the Ohio River Valley, the world outside of the Midwest seemed alluring, bigger and better in nearly every way. Faraway places were full of new and interesting people, places, and animals. That was, until I had the chance to get out and explore faraway places and realize how little I knew about my own hometown. Marcel Proust said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but by having new eyes,” and these wise words inspire us at Ohio River Foundation to appreciate and explore the amazing environment in our watershed. This is one of the key goals of the Mussels in the Classroom program. Expose students to the magic, challenges, and hopeful conservation work happening right here in their backyards.
Recently, we went out with the team from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Center for Mollusk Conservation to assist with the collection of the federally endangered fanshell mussel (Cyprogenia stegaria). These mussels will be reintroduced to specific waterways in Indiana where they have been extirpated for years.
Provided by Melinda Voss, Education Programs Manager