Friends Wednesday Night Chat with NCTC Staff

A Chat with Matthew Patterson, Fish and Wildlife Biologist

Matthew will speak to us about the amazing underwater world of freshwater mussels. 

Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered groups of animals in North America (over 70% of the species are endangered, threatened or of special concern) but also one of the coolest.  He will focus on the reasons for the decline, propagation efforts underway to save species in the wild, as well as the truly amazing life history of freshwater mussels, specifically their co-evolution with freshwater fish.

Matthew came to the NCTC in September 2010 as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist and Course Leader.  Before coming to Shepherdstown, he was a Mussel Propagation Biologist with the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery in White Sulphur Springs, WV.  Matthew holds a Masters Degree in Biology from Virginia Tech where his research focused on the biology and physiology of freshwater mussels.  His interests include music, kayaking, photography, and hanging out with his family.