VIRGINIA
TECH MUSSEL RESEARCHER
AWARDED MERITORIOUS
SERVICE AWARD FROM
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF THE INTERIOR
BLACKSBURG,
Oct. 21, 2003 -- Richard
J. Neves of Blacksburg,
professor of fisheries
and wildlife science
at Virginia Tech’s
College of Natural
Resources, was awarded
the Meritorious Service
Award from the U.
S. Department of the
Interior in recognition
of his outstanding
contributions to the
U.S. Geological Survey
in the conservation
of freshwater mussels
in North America.
Previously
honored by The Nature
Conservancy for his
fruitful pioneering
efforts, Neves established
one of the first and
most influential research
and training programs
on freshwater mussel
biology and conservation.
His work, which has
documented the status
of many species of
mussels and other
aquatic invertebrates,
lead to the discovery
of the life cycles,
intermediate hosts,
and reproductive processes
and triggers for 18
species of freshwater
mussels. After discovering
the fish host species
for the intermediate
life stages of several
mussel species, Neves
developed laboratory
culture techniques,
and hatchery techniques
for propagating 11
species.
Neves
also pioneered the
concept of conservation
refugia (areas unharmed
ecologically that
provide goal habitats)
for imperiled mussels,
and using holding
ponds and hatcheries
as temporary, long-term
holding places for
mussels facing such
threats as pollution
and invasive zebra
mussels. Such hatcheries
have become integral
parts of strategic
conservation plans
for freshwater mussels.
State and federal
hatcheries are now
holding and propagating
several endangered
mussels using techniques
and facility designs
developed by Neves.
A
faculty member of
the College of Natural
Resources since 1978,
Neves continues to
teach and research
the biology and conservation
of freshwater mussels,
endangered aquatic
species, restoration
and recovery of aquatic
ecosystems, and propagation
of endangered mollusks.
He
received his bachelor's
degree from the University
of Rhode Island, a
master's degree from
the University of
Maine, and a Ph.D.
from the University
of Massachusetts.
The College of Natural
Resources at Virginia
Tech is consistently
ranked among the top
five programs of its
kind in the nation,
and the fisheries
program has been recognized
by peers as one of
the top two in the
nation. Faculty stress
both the technical
and human elements
of natural resources
and instill in students
a sense of stewardship
and land-use ethics.
Areas of studies include
environmental resource
management; fisheries
and wildlife sciences;
forestry; geospatial
and environmental
analysis; natural
resource recreation;
urban forestry; wood
science and forest
products; geography;
and international
development.
