The goal in our Adopt a Mussel program is to help residents within the Tennessee River watershed fall in love with the freshwater mussel, a species critical to maintaining a thriving ecosystem. Adoptees will pay a $300 fee to adopt juvenile mussels (donated from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) that will be placed in silos similar to those pictured here and receive updates as the mussels are measured quarterly until they grow to a size that they will be more likely to thrive as they help to filter the waters of the Tennessee River watershed.

How the adoption works

Adoptees will pay a $300 fee and receive the following:

1. Naming rights to their 2025 adopted mussel *

2. Adopted Mussels are placed in their silos at The Tennessee River Watershed Mussel Fest, this year held at Seven Islands State Birding Park located in Knoxville Tenn.

3. Updates based on quarterly measurements of their mussel’s growth and development

4. When their mussel has reached a more mature state, adoptee will receive photo and certificate of release

5. Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful is also working on potential of digital trackers that adoptees may purchase to track their mussel after its release

   *individual mussel adoption is $300, but entire silos may be adopted, allowing for 10 mussels to be named as well as naming the adopted silo