We are collaborating with scientists and artists at the University of Maine to create a mural in Bangor highlighting the importance of freshwater mussels, migratory fish, and river ecosystems. Installation is planned for early Summer 2025 near the Penobscot River waterfront.

Freshwater mussels improve water quality and clarity by filtering out contaminants (like E. coli) (Ismail et al. 2016). They act like aquarium filters but in nature, keeping rivers "clean"!

However, 70% of freshwater mussel species are imperiled and their declines lead to increased turbidity (suspended sediment) in waterways (Williams et al. 1993; Tiemann 2016). These declines have many implications, including losing biodiversity, impeding the ability of predators to see clearly, and leading to increased loads of bacteria over time. 

Despite their importance, freshwater mussels aren't well known. In fact, lack of public knowledge is the 2nd biggest challenge conservation managers face in protecting these species, secondary only to limited funding (L. Bouska et al. 2018).

Migratory fish are incredibly important to people and ecosystems. We rely on migratory fish for recreational opportunities, food, and as a cultural resource, particularly for tribal nations (Ashley et al. 2023).

Migratory fish travel thousands of miles between ocean and river habitats to spawn, or reproduce. These fish face a lot of challenges during these journeys, including dams that they cannot pass which can lead to massive declines (Zydlewski et al. 2023). 

Two dams were removed from the Penobscot River in 2012 and 2013. These removals have increased migratory fish catch dramatically and endangered populations appear to be recovering (Zydlewski et al. 2023). This is a huge success story that deserves to be memorialized!

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

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Atlantic Salmon Federation

Beth Swartz