Our sixth annual freshwater mussel field day was with MN DNR malacologist, Bernard Sietman. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone as passionate and knowledgeable about mussels as this transplanted Missourian. Since 2002, he has worked across Minnesota surveying mussels. One of the more exciting aspects of his job is the potential discovery of a new species for the Minnesota River Basin, the Maple Leaf.
Bernard received his Master of Science degree in Biology from the Emporia State University where he studied the ecology and genetics of freshwater mussels in two local rivers. After graduation he worked as a Natural History Biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation surveying freshwater mussels, conducting landowner interviews, and assisting with stream fish surveys. Sietman spent time as an Aquatic Ecologist and Assistant Technical Scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey. Here he assisted with the overseeing of a nationally renowned mollusk and fish collections.
Freshwater Mussel Field Day 2020
Saturday, October 3rd, 2020
- Session 1 from 10am to Noon
- Session 2 from 1pm to 3pm
Location: The Upper Sioux Agency State Park campground – Confluence of the Yellow Medicine and Minnesota River