Texas Mussel Watch

How to Become a Texas Mussel Watch Volunteer

Role of a Volunteer

Volunteer holding mussels

Volunteers can play an important role in helping us understand freshwater mussels in Texas because resources for mussel research are limited and Texas is vast. Additionally, volunteers spread across the state can be on hand when local events cause sudden changes in water levels or water clarity, exposing mussels.

Texas Mussel Watch volunteer data can help us determine:

1. The distribution and relative abundance of different freshwater mussel species.
2. Changes in the distribution and abundance of mussel species over time.
3. The presence of exotic mussels.

Becoming a Volunteer

Identifying mussel species in the field is fun and challenging. Most mussel monitoring can take place along the shores or in shallow water, especially when water levels are lower than normal during droughts or during the draw downs of reservoirs. Monitoring can take place incidentally as volunteers encounter mussels, but regular visits (once or twice a year) to a particular water body are encouraged.

Mussel watch volunteers

Texas Mussel Watch Workshop

No special equipment is needed to monitor for mussels, but volunteers must attend a workshop to receive a monitoring manual.

Monitoring workshops are scheduled in different parts of the state. To find out more about Texas Nature Trackers or to sign up for a Texas Mussel Watch monitoring workshop, please contact TPWD's Wildlife Diversity Program at 1-800-792-1112, x 8062.