Find An Expert
Looking for answers to your mussel questions? Interested in funding opportunities and compliance requirements for research? Want more information about management and control of mussels? We have a variety of experts within the Invasive Mussel Collaborative ready to answer whatever questions you may have! Click through below to see our contacts by location and expertise. If you are an expert and would like to be added to our list, please let us know!
Minnesota Northwest Region - Fergus Falls
Mark Ranweiler, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Report a Sighting
Located In: Fergus Falls, MN, USA
218-739-7576 ext 254
Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about the geographic scope of each administrative region.
Minnesota Northwest Region - Park Rapids
Nicole Kovar, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Report a Sighting
Located In: Park Rapids, MN, USA
218-732-8960
Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about the geographic scope of each administrative region.
Minnesota Southern Region - Hutchinson
Eric Katzenmeyer, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Report a Sighting
Located In: Hutchinson, MN, USA
320-234-2550
Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about the geographic scope of each administrative region.
Minnesota Southern Region - Waterville
Allison Gamble, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Report a Sighting
Located In: Waterville, MN, USA
507-362-8786
Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about the geographic scope of each administrative region.
Cassandra Silverio
Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist
Topics: General Inquiries
British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Located In: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
236- 478-1418
The B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service operate the Invasive Mussel Defense Program with the goal of preventing the introduction of zebra and quagga mussels into B.C, through watercraft inspections, lake monitoring and education.
The B.C. Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group provides policy direction, coordination and collaborative delivery of provincial invasive species programs for the Province of B.C.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/invasive-species/imiswg
Adam Sepulveda
U.S. Geological Survey
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic)
Located In: Bozeman, MT, USA
Primary focus on the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rocky Mountain regions
Anna McClymont
Severn Sound Environmental Association
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic), Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Ecosystem Impacts- Nutrients
Located In: Port McNicoll, ON, Canada
Primary focus on Severn Sound (Georgian Bay), Farlain Lake, Bass Lake, Lake Couchiching, MacLean Lake, Orr Lake, and Little Lake, Ontario.
Anthony Prisciandaro
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic), Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Impacts to Infrastructure, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment
Located In: Boise, ID, USA
Primary focus on Snake River Basin Reservoirs
Ashley Elgin
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Topics: Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species
Located In: Muskegon, MI, USA
Primary focus on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario
Astrid Schwalb
Texas State University
Topics: Dispersal Mechanisms, Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Modeling
Located In: San Marcos, TX, USA
Primary focus on Lake Belton, Leon River, Lampasas River, Little River, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Canyon Lake, and Guadalupe River, Texas
Bing Smith
MusselWise
Topics: Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species
Located In: California, USA
Primary focus on Lake Nacimiento
Bob Wakeman
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Ecosystem Impacts- Nutrients
Located In: Waukesha, WI, USA
Primary focus on Lake Mendota and lakes in Dane County, Wisconsin
Brandice Hollier
Aquatic Invasive Species Project Coordinator
Topics: Coordination of Effort
Parks Canada
Located In: Riding Mountain, MB, Canada
431-337-6181
Riding Mountain National Park's AIS Prevention Program started in 2015. Although the program mainly focuses on stopping the spread of zebra mussels, we are also concerned about other AIS as well. The program included implementing mandatory inspections for all watercraft wanting to launch within park waters. The inspection program employs students to conduct the inspections and carry out decontaminations when necessary. A second part of the program is monitoring and sampling waterbodies within the park that are accessible to watercrafts. This includes sampling for eDNA, veligers, and adult zebra mussels.
Brenda Lafrancois
National Park Service
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic), Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Ecosystem Impacts- Nutrients, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment
Located In: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Maple City, MI, USA
Primary focus on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, St. Croix River, Mississippi River, and the Missouri River
Byron Karns
National Park Service
Topics: Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment
Located In: St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, North Hamilton Street, Saint Croix Falls, WI, USA
Chris Merkes
U.S. Geological Survey
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic), Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment
Located In: La Crosse, WI, USA
Primary focus on Maple Lake, MN; Lake Le Homme Dieu, MN; Lake Minnetonka, MN; Mississippi River; and San Justo Reservoir, CA