Last week was an awesome chance to get out on a #freshwatermussel survey in a tributary of PA's French Creek. We found a good species diversity and helped some new folks learn about the amazing world of mussels!

Squid are mollusks, which makes them related to awesome freshwater mussels! Also, squid are the largest invertebrates!

Happy National Wildlife Refuge Week (today through Saturday). Be #AtHomeInNature. Click link to find a national wildlife refuge near you. Refine your search by state or Zip Code. ow.ly/zfqs50L0PGG

Libraries are the best, check out Libby and other resources that allow you to check out ebooks and audiobooks from the comfort of your phone app or browser!!

My #TedTalk on why bats would be more efficient at delivering gifts than Santa & reindeer: 🎁 Already nocturnal 🎁 There are millions to divide the workload 🎁 Found worldwide 🎁 Excellent at finding chimneys, maybe too good. 📷 Hugo Willocx, Foto Natura, Minden Pictures

A mussel with allure🎣😎 This plain pocketbook mussel is displaying its lure to attract large fish (who see a small fish snack). Many mussels use lures to attract host fish for their larvae. This is essential to their reproductive cycle. 📸Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

Just got the most adorable thank you note from the 1st graders I did a #skypeascientist with earlier this semester. I always tell kids to share their new knowledge and tell folks that #bats are awesome, not scary, so I really love the message saying "I know now bats are kool".

Thanks for visiting our #WildlifeRefuge and sharing awesome info about more charismatic mollusks (aka squid and other cephalopods)! I loved learning about how they use color to communicate. And thanks for getting the word out about how cool #FreshwaterMussels are!

So excited to be part of this year's class! Thank you The Wildlife Society for this wonderful opportunity to learn and grow.

If what is happening in Texas and West Virginia isn't making major alarm bells ring all over US academia, I don't know what to say any more. Its the culmination of so many longer trends, which people also mostly ignored. It all feels really ominous.

OHIO, I am talking to YOU. You have until October 10 to find your friends who aren’t registered to vote and get them moving. There are HUGE issues at stake and not everyone knows how to register or how important it is NOW. I’m talking about ABORTION and voting YES on Issue 1.

New ick unlocked: when they don't understand the importance of bats Though often feared and loathed as sinister creatures, bats are vital to the environment and economy. Learn why bats are essential, the threats they’re facing and how to help: fws.gov/story/bats-are…

Golf courses: use 2.08 billion gallons of water per year on average, harming desert landscapes & native ecosystems. Javelinas: maintain a balance in their ecosystem, aerating soils, dispersing seeds and are a good food source for pumas, jaguars & coyotes. #TeamJavelina

This is powerful and true in so many situations. Nothing difficult has a simple good/bad breakdown. Acknowledging the whole truth is the only way forward.

Some good news for the #ApalachicolaRiver. After centuries of strain, the iconic river is seeing some of its most vulnerable residents, the freshwater mussels, making a comeback. Read the full story: fws.gov/story/apalachi… 📸USFWS

An important reminder to keep your cats indoors (or on a leash if you have cat training skills). It's better for your cat's health and the environment!

Wow. This ad is excellent. Watch this.

Most bats will probably only check their Xmas stockings once warmer weather returns in 2024. The best present we can give bats is to help secure their future in our changing world in order to achieve our vision of a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together.

Every time you see a TurboTax ad, remember: they’ve spent millions of dollars lobbying to make the tax-filing process as difficult and time-consuming as possible. All to protect their bottom line. But now the IRS is testing out a truly free Direct File option.

🚨 Applications open for TWS Leadership Institute 🚨 The The Wildlife Society’s leadership training program is now accepting applications for the class of 2024! The deadline to submit applications is March 17 by 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more and apply at: wildlife.org/apply-now-for-…