302 Fish Hatchery Lane
Mammoth Spring, AR 72554
United States
Contact Sara Seagraves
About Sara Seagraves
Meet Sara Seagraves, Mussel Nanny!
Sara is a biologist/malacologist, working at Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery.
How would you describe your conservation work to someone you just met?
I help freshwater mussels have babies.
What does conservation mean to you?
Conservation means we are helping ensure that future generations can experience the same love for nature that I have today.
What led to your career choice? Did you have a fish or conservation "ah-ha!" moment?
As long as I can remember I've wanted to be a Biologist (I loved sitting on my dads lap as a kid watching nature shows on tv). As a child, I wanted to be a Marine Biologist but it wasn't until I was in college that I developed an interest in Freshwater species, specifically mussels. My brother, who is a few years older than me was working on his Master's degree and he let me assist him in the field on a few occasions looking for mussels. It was that experience that led me down my current path.
What is your favorite aquatic species?
I've always loved sea turtles but if I were to pick a species I work with it, would probably be one of the many species of Freshwater Mussels I've worked with, like the Snuffbox.
Do you have a memorable moment on the job?
Definitely going out to survey for Lake Sturgeon. Getting to place a pit tag in my first sturgeon was an experience I will never forget.
Most enjoyable aspect of your work.
Getting to spend time in the river surveying for mussels.
Where did you go to school?
I have an Associate's degree from Black River Technical College, and Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Arkansas State University. I also spent 4 years working at Baylor University gaining tons of experience in both Outreach and Research - everything from collecting and processing water samples, to coring trees, to aquatic habitat restoration.
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