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Big Year of Rivers Speaker Series – Freshwater Mussels in the Mississippi River: A 100 Year Roller Coaster Ride
Join us for a presentation by Jordan Holcomb — Malacologist with the Minnesota DNR.
Minnesota is home to 51 native species of freshwater mussels that mostly live in rivers. This ecologically important group of filter feeding bottom dwellers experienced major declines in abundance and distribution in the last 100 years, resulting in nearly half of Minnesota’s species to be listed as threatened or endangered at state or federal levels. Those declines are largely attributed to poor water quality, over harvesting for commercial button and pearl industries, invasive species, and damming of rivers. Despite ongoing threats like Zebra Mussels, clean water regulations and conservation efforts led by the Minnesota DNR and its partners have improved conditions in Minnesota’s rivers, and some mussel populations appear to be on the rise.
Registration required 24 hours prior.
The Sacred Water Shared Future campaign is powered by you! The heart of this centennial celebration is the incredible variety of events planned and hosted by our partners — community groups, nonprofits, businesses, schools, and individuals who feel a connection to the Mississippi River.
We do not host events ourselves; instead, we serve as a central hub for river-focused activities happening across the Twin Cities throughout 2026.