(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- For the past several years, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Urban Stream Research Center has been working to bolster native populations of freshwater mussels.
The molluscs are a key player in filtering out bacteria, algae and pollutants to keep waterways clean.
"Since 2016, we have released a total of 28,964 mussels, representing a total of six different species," USRC aquatic technician Everett Krause told the DuPage Forest Preserve Board.
Now, the research center's hard work is starting to pay off.
Just last year, a small population of mussels was spotted that has never before been documented in DuPage County.
"This species is known as the Mapleleaf mussel," Krause said. "It likely made its way up into the East Branch of the DuPage River, either from the main stem of the DuPage or from the Des Plaines River via the movement of its host fish."
The USRC is also propagating several other mussel species in hopes of releasing them into waterways in the next couple of years.
The most noteworthy is the ellipse mussel.
"If we are successful in the propagation and release of this species, we will be completely reintroducing this species to DuPage County, as it is no longer found within our waterways," Krause added.
The USRC is also running propagation programs for native fish species and endangered Blandings Turtles.
