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The workshop will take place October 6th to October 10th, 2025 here at the Museum of Biological Diversity in Columbus, OH. It will include classroom and hands-on field instruction in freshwater mussel taxonomy, identification, and survey techniques from myself and colleagues from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, with presentations on state and federal conservation efforts and regulations from ODNR and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Registration is $600 for professionals, and $400 for unemployed/student participants.
The registration fee covers cost of attendance, parking, food, course materials. and t-shirt.
Directions and Parking:
Directions and further info can be found at mbd.osu.edu/about/directions.
All-day parking in the museum lot is provided for all participants Monday-Wednesday (the days that there is required classroom time in the museum). If you decide to work in the collection after the formal conclusion of the workshop (Thursday evening, Friday), paying for parking is your responsibility. We can also provide info on nearby free parking.
If you are driving government-owned vehicle, you can park without a permit in any OSU parking lot. Personal vehicles (including rental cars) need permits. If you are driving your own car and provided your plate info, we will have hang tags ready for you on Monday morning.
Meals.
Snacks and lunch will be provided on Monday and Thursday. We’ll provide coffee and bagels/light snacks Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, you’ll have lunch on your own, to provide a chance to check out some local spots and network with other participants. Local places we like: Brassica in Upper Arlington, Chocolate Café, Crispy Coop, Tai’s Asian Bistro, Whole Foods Upper Arlington, 1420 Pizza
Field trips.
We will be visiting 2 sites on both Thursday and the optional Friday field day respectively. You will travel to the site in your own vehicle(s); you’re encouraged to carpool as some sites will have limited parking. Please bring all necessary field gear, be prepared to stay dry, or to get wet and dry yourself off afterwards. Most important are waders/wetsuit, viewing tubes, mesh bags, towels. A waterproof camera or housing for your phone is a great idea.
