Learn about freshwater mussels and how local researchers are trying to help expand their numbers throughout the Delaware Valley.
Freshwater mussels are one of the most threatened/endangered groups of animals in North America. Learn what makes them so interesting and how local researchers are trying to help expand their numbers throughout the Delaware Valley.
About the Speaker: Roger Thomas is an aquatic biologist and serves as the Operations Manager for the Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES) Department at Drexel University and Leader of the Project Support Section in the Patrick Center for Environmental Research at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. He has over forty years’ experience in environmental monitoring project development and field work, many of which have involved collecting freshwater mussels in streams throughout the east and Gulf coasts, and larger rivers like the Mississippi, Savannah, Susquehanna and Delaware. During the past 10 years he has collaborated with researchers from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Philadelphia Water Department, and USEPA Region 3 to survey local waterways for mussels and to help develop a regional freshwater mussel propagation and restoration program.