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 who make a $300 donation to KTnRB to ‘adopt’ juvenile mussels that will be placed in silos similar to those pictured here. The juvenile mussels are bred in the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency mussel conservation program and their release will be held in coordination with the mussel release at our Tennessee River Watershed Mussel Fest. In their silos, the juvenile mussels will be more likely to thrive as they help to filter the waters of the Tennessee River watershed while growing at the same time. To adopt a mussel today, CLICK HERE!

How the adoption works

Adoptees how make a $300 donation to ‘adopt’ a mussel will 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 the Knoxville, Tenn. area.

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

   *individual mussel adoption can occur after a $300 donation to KTnRB, but entire silos may be adopted, allowing for 10 mussels to be named as well as naming the adopted silo for a $3,000 donation to KTnRB