GSC Conservation and Research Updates, November Edition

Freshwater Mussels

The GSC has partnered with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to conserve and bolster freshwater mussel populations in our state. As part of the Revolution Ridge zoo expansion, we constructed a freshwater mussel propagation lab.

Freshwater mussels are one of the world’s most imperiled taxa, facing threats from habitat destruction, erosion, sedimentation, toxins and man-made structures like dams. These bottom dwelling, efficient filter feeding animals are a critical component in maintaining healthy waterways.

Freshwater mussels live in all freshwater systems, including stream, lakes, ponds, and rivers, but one rarely encounters them. This is because they’re very well tucked away. Using their “foot” to sink themselves into the substrate, they project a siphon into the water to collect tiny particles to feed on.

We recognize that to conserve nature, one first has to connect with it – so we now have mussels on display in the lab. We want guests to see and learn about mussels so they can understand why we are working so hard to save them.

The GSC is home to nine freshwater mussels. These large-bodied, thick-shelled specimens are our ambassadors. These are Elliptio Complanata, or the Eastern elliptio. Elliptio are found throughout NC and the eastern US. Our residents are from a stream in Guilford County. Since so few people come in contact with freshwater mussels in the wild, we wanted to have large mussels for the public to view. These mussels will live at the GSC and remain on display. Additional species will join the lab in the future for propagation purposes.

“Unless someone like you care a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” –Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax

Meet the GSC’s First-Ever Conservation and Research Technician, Lauren Highsmith

Lauren working on the system in the mussel lab

We’re excited to welcome Lauren Highsmith to the Conservation & Research department. Lauren is completing her BS in Marine Biology from UNC-Wilmington. She brings to us a passion for aquatic life and conserving species in addition to experience maintaining aquatic invertebrates. Lauren is using her knowledge about invertebrate husbandry and maintaining water chemistry to care for our resident freshwater mussels.

She enjoys exploring nature, be it diving in the Caribbean or hiking in the mountains. Her family ties to Barbados have taken her to the island and its surrounding seas to study sea turtles, iguanas, corals, and other Caribbean wildlife.

After only one month, Lauren has already jumped into the role feet first. She has assisted with collecting bee and butterfly data at one of our field sites, she is caring for the freshwater mussels in the lab and she is analyzing acoustic data for one of our bat projects.

A Quick Q&A with Lauren

What drew you to the C&R Tech position? The thing that drew me to this position most was just the way that I have always had a love for working with nature and the environment, as well as with the animals that inhabit it. When I was a child, I used to love to visit the Greensboro Science Center when we were in town, so when I noticed the listing for a job opportunity at the facility, it was a no-brainer. I had always really enjoyed my time visiting the GSC, so getting the opportunity to work here was a dream!

You have been here 1 month. What is the most surprising thing about the job? I think the most surprising (and most enjoyable) aspect about the position is the way that we are always working on some new project. There is never a dull moment in the lab, and no two days are the same!

What do you look forward to learning in this role? I look forward to learning more about mussel husbandry, as well as gaining new experiences through the projects we are a part of now, as well as the projects we hope to be a part of in the future! I am always looking for new learning opportunities!

What fun facts do you want people to know about you? I have five dogs and two cats; we love animals in our household! My favorite animal is a whale shark! I absolutely love pickle juice. Gross, right?

Welcome to the GSC family, Lauren! We know you are going to do great things.

My Why: Glenn Dobrogosz

How does the GSC impact individuals, families and communities? We think it’s best to let YOU answer that question!

Read our Q&A with GSC staff member Glenn Dobrogosz to learn about what makes the GSC so special to him.

Photo courtesy of O.Henry magazine

Job title: Chief Executive Officer

Primary Responsibilities: Comprehensive oversight of planning, growth and operations

How many years have you worked at the GSC? 17

What is it about the GSC that makes you stay? I have had the pleasure of helping to spark and lead tremendous change working alongside the best team of employees, Board members, volunteers, partners, members and donors in the City of Greensboro.

Why is the GSC important to you personally? The beauty of science is that it has no boundaries, yet it encompasses everyone and everything. This allows everyone to benefit, learn, grow, be inspired and hopefully see life through a lens of near infinite beauty and diversity.

Why is the GSC important to the community? Like science, the GSC pushes the boundaries of change. Much of what the Center has accomplished over the last decade, many said could never be achieved in Greensboro. Today, our fast growing, perpetually changing and soon to be a top-5 state destination has attracted over 5 million people to its 35-acre site since opening of Animal Discovery in 2008. Accredited aquariums, zoos and science museums work in every community where tried. Here in Greensboro, we have all three!

What impact do you hope the GSC has on guests? I hope guests: (1) Leave inspired to learn more about life’s incredible diversity, (2) Have amazing experiences with their family and then go home to talk and challenge each other with their knowledge, (3) Become more science-minded and begin to support projects and initiatives that inspire kids to seek science careers.

If you’d like to share your “Why” and possibly see it shared here, email it to mystory@greensboroscience.org

Conservation in Action: Mona Rhino Iguana Survey

Post by Lindsey Zarecky, VP of Conservation & Research

During the month of October, four GSC staff members journeyed to the Caribbean to participate in a laborious data collection study to help protect the endangered Mona iguana. Mona Island, affectionately referred to as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, is home to many rare and endemic species. This 34-square-mile island is located between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on the Mona Passage.

One of the endangered species on the island is the Mona Rhino iguana. This large-bodied, slow-growing, ancient-looking lizard thrives in the hot, humid environment found on the island. Today Mona does not have any permanent residents as it is a difficult island with no freshwater access, tough terrain, and unfriendly vegetation. But, humans have lived there in the past, utilizing the many caves on the island. And, explorers visited in the past and brought with them other vertebrate species, which are now a major threat to the iguanas and other native wildlife. Feral pigs, cats, goats, and rats threaten the future for the iguanas as they predate on the eggs, hatchlings and juvenile iguanas, compete for resources, and destroy nesting habitat.

Over 20 years ago a population survey was completed and estimated there to be around 5,000 iguanas. This is a very low count compared to similar iguanas on other islands. Even more concerning is the lack of recruitment by the species, with only 5-10% of the population being juveniles. In order to enact change and remove invasive species, we first need to understand the population.

Therefore, in October 2019 GSC staff joined our Puerto Rican partners on Mona Island. After a 6-hour boat ride, our team arrived on Mona Island – a towering rock of limestone, greenery, soil and sand. Eight teams of two people set out to lay 200-meter-long transects around the island in a randomized pattern. Those transects were then surveyed over the next three weeks. Every iguana seen while walking the transect was counted and included in the study. Each transect was surveyed multiple times and data is currently being compiled. The same survey will be replicated in October 2020.

Staff had the opportunity to experience the beauty and challenges found on Mona Island. The terrain is jagged and unforgiving. The temperature is hot, the bugs voracious, and the cacti are prevalent. But, there were also moments of wonder and beauty as we stepped on rock very few others have or will ever get to explore. The endemic plants and animals provided rare photobook memories. And the people we worked with were just wonderful and by far a highlight of our experience.

For many years, the GSC has been informing guests about conservation of species. But providing a hands-on, field experience in such a physically and mentally demanding island left lasting impressions on the staff who participated. We can only hope this work and the work we will do next year provide the data needed to support our goal of protecting Mona iguanas through removal of vertebrate invasive species. Stay tuned – we will continue to bring you more information about the great conservation work and scientific research taking at the GSC.