The Duke Forest and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have been working together as partners since 2023 around the New Hope Creek Restoration Projects. Our mutual goals include protecting and improving habitat within New Hope Creek for freshwater mussels and enhancing the populations of native mussel species. After a successful initial survey of the NHC project sites and the stream reach between them, NCWRC asked if the Duke Forest would be a host site for some hatchery-reared, state-threatened Notched Rainbow Mussels (Villosa constricta). The brood stock for these animals had actually been sourced from New Hope Creek, just upstream of the Forest boundary. We eagerly agreed.
Freshwater mussels play a vital role in maintaining the health of rivers and streams, which serve as the lifeblood of ecosystems and communities, but are unfortunately among the most endangered animals in North America. Approximately 70 percent of North Carolina’s 65 native mussel species are considered rare and in need of conservation. Often called the “livers of the rivers,” freshwater mussels filter bacteria, algae, and viruses from the water, significantly improving water quality. As key indicator species, their presence or absence can signal the overall health of aquatic ecosystems, making them essential allies in efforts to protect both wildlife and human communities.
In November 2023, Brena Jones, NCWRC Central Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Research Coordinator, and her team introduced roughly 2,000 hatchery-grown 2-year-old Notched Rainbow Mussels into NHC. Each mussel was labeled with a numbered tag on its shell, and 100 received a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag. These PIT tags resemble the “microchips” often used by pet owners, allowing NCWRC biologists to relocate and assess stocked mussels over time as they acclimate to their new habitat.
Brena’s team selected a large pool upstream from the Duke Forest’s Concrete Bridge (and away from the impounded area) in which to “re-stock” the young, nursery mussels. Duke Forest staff leveraged the opportunity to invite graduate students from Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment to a unique learning opportunity. Brena and fellow NCWRC biologist, Mike Walter, educated the group about Notched Rainbow Mussels, the role of mussels in freshwater ecosystems, and the importance of wildlife conservation and reintroduction efforts. Alongside Brena and Mike, students and Forest staff were even able to get their hands wet (and cold!) to help place the mussels in the stock pool.
Brena and her team have now revisited the stocked pool twice to assess the success of the Notched Rainbow reintroduction. Just a few weeks ago in late June 2025, Brena Jones, Langston Rimmer, and intern Tayton Alvis conducted their second monitoring visit. To locate the tagged mussels and assess their health and condition, the biologists brought along a specialized tracking device—a floating detector that beeps whenever it hovers over a PIT-tagged mussel. Once a signal is detected, a team member snorkels in the area to manually locate the mussel, something easier said than done since mussels often bury themselves into the gravel and sand of the creek bed. Despite some equipment issues, the biologists were able to relocate and confirm several live individuals from the animals stocked in 2023. After finding the mussels, they are measured and then returned to their habitat. Overall, data from stocking assessment such as this one help NCWRC evaluate and improve their hatchery propagation and mussel reintroduction methods, and importantly, they also indicate whether the habitat is of sufficient quality to successfully support these animals. So far, for New Hope Creek within the Duke Forest, the answer is a resounding yes!
The Duke Forest team is incredibly grateful to partner closely with the NCWRC and their skilled biologists who are working to conserve and protect native North Carolina species. We could not successfully execute and evaluate our New Hope Creek restoration projects without them! If you’d like to learn more about the amazing freshwater mussels of North Carolina, check out Brena Jones’ presentation from the 2023 Duke Forest Annual Gathering.