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In a Stranglehold: Can We Prevent Invasive Mussels from Muscling in on Native Populations?
Invasive mussels not only foul docks and props and cut your feet, they also attach to native mussels, preventing movement, feeding and reproduction. In essence, zebra and quagga mussels are smothering Michigan’s native mussels. Michael Hillary, fisheries biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with support from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is seeking ways to protect the small, fragile populations of our native filter feeders. Join him to discover what he’s learned working with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory to sift through decades of data, locate healthy native mussel populations and field test management strategies to protect them.
Virtual Webinar
Start: January 14, 2026 9:00 AM
End: January 14, 2026 10:00 AM
Invasive mussels not only foul docks and props and cut your feet, they also attach to native mussels, preventing movement, feeding and reproduction. In essence, zebra and quagga mussels are smothering Michigan’s native mussels. Michael Hillary, fisheries biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with support from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is seeking ways to protect the small, fragile populations of our native filter feeders. Join him to discover what he’s learned working with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory to sift through decades of data, locate healthy native mussel populations and field test management strategies to protect them.