Freshwater mussels and land mollusks are the MOST endangered group in North America. The dramatic loss of these species is a sign that the freshwater that we depend on for removing our wastes and obtaining drinking water are in trouble

• Dams impede fish which then leaves larval mussels (glochidia) stranded, and change
  the flow and chemistry of natural rivers.
  
• Pollution like pesticides, fertilizers and human and industrial discharge hurts all animals and plants in a food web. Land development that takes lots of trees and shrubs away causes too much dirt to be washed into the rivers and lakes which caused siltation. Silt can cover over the mussels too much impeding their ability to eat and breath.
  
• Non-native mussels like the zebra mussel have larvae that settle on the other mussels and literally suffocate and starve these animals.

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  	"Mussels of the Altamaha River" is a course designed to teach ecological relationships and habitat use patterns using the mussels of the Altamaha River to show the interdependence of species for reproduction, transportation, and food. Objectives include discussion of the interdependence of all life within a watershed. Produced under a grant by Georgia DNR Non Game Wildlife Programs by the Glynn Environmental Coalition.