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On Monday staff traveled to the 2023 Kentucky Freshwater Mussel Meeting held at the Salato Center in Frankfort, KY. State Malacologist, Monte McGregor led the meeting giving updates on mussel projects at the Center for Mollusk Conservation followed by presentations by various partners/individuals involved with mussel propagation statewide.
Biological Science Technician, Makenzie Foster, gave a presentation detailing Wolf Creek's freshwater mussel work and how the program has grown since it's beginning in 2015. Updates were shared including the progress made since acquiring the boathouse in 2020 as well as the plans for the 2023 mussel season.
Presentations were followed by a tour of the Center for Mollusk Conservation (CMC) where the propagated mussels get their start! Staff were able to see the preliminary stages of the propagation process including the equipment and manpower it takes to get the mussels to the juvenile stage before they are transferred to Wolf Creek. CMC staff grow their own algae cultures to feed the juveniles, mix their own water, and operate the lab where the juvenile mussels (glochidia) are grown via in vitro or infested onto host fish, and measured before their stay at the hatchery. All partners are excited to get the 2023 mussel season underway!
