* * * The LIFE Unio project aims to protect the last two populations of river mussels inLuxembourg, in the rivers Our and Sauer, through appropriate management and habitat restoration. ![](/files/46190.png) - [![Rubbish in and on the banks of the Our river](/thumbnails/95004-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/rubbish-in-and-on-the-banks-of-the-our-river/) [## Rubbish in and on the banks of the Our river](/news/rubbish-in-and-on-the-banks-of-the-our-river/) At the end of March, we collected garbage on the section of the Our between the border triangle and the the mill of Kalborn. - [![We need your help](/thumbnails/93573-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/we-need-your-help/) [## We need your help](/news/we-need-your-help/) Have you seen freshwater mussels? - [![What is the status of our native freshwater mussels in Luxembourg ?](/thumbnails/93473-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/what-is-the-situation-of-our-native-freshwater-mus/) [## What is the status of our native freshwater mussels in Luxembourg ?](/news/what-is-the-situation-of-our-native-freshwater-mus/) More or less hidden at the bottom of the water, a group of animals is constantly working to keep our waters clean. - [![Final report online](/thumbnails/92612-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/final-report-online/) [## Final report online](/news/final-report-online/) Under Project Data, annual reports the final report can be downloaded. - [![The LIFE Unio project has come to an end](/thumbnails/46219-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/the-life-unio-project-has-come-to-an-end/) [## The LIFE Unio project has come to an end](/news/the-life-unio-project-has-come-to-an-end/) At the end of februar 2019, the LIFE unio project officially ended. - [![Information event in the project area of the Sauer](/thumbnails/86327-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/information-event-in-the-project-area-of-the-sauer/) [## Information event in the project area of the Sauer](/news/information-event-in-the-project-area-of-the-sauer/) Centre culturel Boulaide / 3, rue de la Marie Wednesday, 06 February 2019, at 19:30 (In Luxembourgish language) - [![The layman's report is now available online](/thumbnails/86298-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/the-layman-s-report-is-online/) [## The layman's report is now available online](/news/the-layman-s-report-is-online/) The Layman's report shortly describes the main objectives, actions and achievements of the LIFE Resto Unio project - [![Presentations of the 2018 seminar are online](/thumbnails/86275-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/presentations-of-the--seminar/) [## Presentations of the 2018 seminar are online](/news/presentations-of-the--seminar/) International seminar: Monitoring and restoration of freshwater (mussel) Habitats Tuesday 27th November – Thursday 29th November 2018, Clervaux, Luxembourg - [![Happy New Year 2019](/thumbnails/86006-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/26758/) [## Happy New Year 2019](/news/26758/) Dear colleagues, - [![International seminar Monitoring and restoration of freshwater (mussel) habitats was a success](/thumbnails/85726-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/international-seminar-monitoring-and-restoration-o/) [## International seminar Monitoring and restoration of freshwater (mussel) habitats was a success](/news/international-seminar-monitoring-and-restoration-o/) Tuesday 27th November – Thursday 29th November 2018 Clervaux, Luxembourg - [![LIFE Unio movie online now](/thumbnails/82896-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/life-unio-movie-online-now/) [## LIFE Unio movie online now](/news/life-unio-movie-online-now/) The thick shelled river mussel unknown, useful, threatened - [![HSBC works for LIFE Unio](/thumbnails/82878-212-0-Max.png)](/news/hsbc-works-for-life-unio/) [## HSBC works for LIFE Unio](/news/hsbc-works-for-life-unio/) For several years, HSBC has been supporting the mill of Kalborn with the water experience centre and the freshwater breeding station with the help of its "water program". - [![S.A.R. Grand Duc Henri visits the river Our valley and the mill of Kalborn](/thumbnails/82862-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/sar-grand-duc-henri-visits-the-river-our-valley-an/) [## S.A.R. Grand Duc Henri visits the river Our valley and the mill of Kalborn](/news/sar-grand-duc-henri-visits-the-river-our-valley-an/) On June the 6th, natur ëmwelt Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur invited S.A.R. Grand Duc Henri to the northern part of the country. Along the upper reaches of the river Our, the nature reserves of the foundation and the mill of Kalborn were visited. - [![Release of Thick Shelled River mussels in the river Our](/thumbnails/82841-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/release-of-thick-shelled-river-mussels-in-the-rive/) [## Release of Thick Shelled River mussels in the river Our](/news/release-of-thick-shelled-river-mussels-in-the-rive/) Meanwhile, 570 cultured animals have been released in the River Our - [![First release of cultured animals in the river Sauer](/thumbnails/82642-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/first-release-of-cultured-animals-in-the-river-sau/) [## First release of cultured animals in the river Sauer](/news/first-release-of-cultured-animals-in-the-river-sau/) At the end of May, 500 young thick shelled river mussels were released in the river Sauer - [![International water forum at the Naturparkzentrum in Esch-sur-Sûre](/thumbnails/82040-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/international-water-forum-at-the-naturparkzentrum-/) [## International water forum at the Naturparkzentrum in Esch-sur-Sûre](/news/international-water-forum-at-the-naturparkzentrum-/) On April 17, 2018, the LIFE Unio team invited for the second international water forum regarding the catchment area of the river Sûre - [![The 2018 propagation season is kicking off!](/thumbnails/81599-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/the--propagation-season-is-kicking-off/) [## The 2018 propagation season is kicking off!](/news/the--propagation-season-is-kicking-off/) At the beginning of April, breeding animals were collected in the river Our and Sûre and brought to the rearing facility at the mill of Kalborn. - [![Happy New Year 2018](/thumbnails/79655-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/25007/) [## Happy New Year 2018](/news/25007/) Dear Colleagues, - [![International water forum at the mill of Kalborn](/thumbnails/78553-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/international-water-forum-at-the-mill-of-kalborn/) [## International water forum at the mill of Kalborn](/news/international-water-forum-at-the-mill-of-kalborn/) On november 22nd 2017, the LIFE Unio team invited for the second international water forum regarding the catchment area of the river Our - [![Sensitization of school classes at the mill of Kalborn](/thumbnails/77576-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/24410/) [## Sensitization of school classes at the mill of Kalborn](/news/24410/) 10 school classes and private groups from nearby camp sites could profit from nature education at the mill of Kalborn for 2017 so far. Field trips to the river Our and visits of the mussel rearing facility for the thick shelled river mussel (Unio Crassus) and the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) were organised. More than 300 people can now profit from the knowledge about freshwater resources. - [![Informational event for cultivaters ](/thumbnails/77527-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/informational-event-for-cultivaters/) [## Informational event for cultivaters](/news/informational-event-for-cultivaters/) In collaboration with the ASTA and the Chamber of Agriculture, an informational event took place in order to inform the cultivaters about the national agri-environmental measures. The LIFE Unio team also presented the collected data from our water sampling in the catchment area "Feierbësch". - [![Monitoring of fish stocks in the river Our](/thumbnails/76871-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/monitoring-of-fish-stocks-in-the-river-our/) [## Monitoring of fish stocks in the river Our](/news/monitoring-of-fish-stocks-in-the-river-our/) To check on the fish stocks in the river Our, an electric fishing was undertaken by the national water administration AGE and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST). - [![Control and transfer of juvenile mussels](/thumbnails/76011-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/control-and-transfer-of-juvenile-mussels/) [## Control and transfer of juvenile mussels](/news/control-and-transfer-of-juvenile-mussels/) In June and July the young mussels in different breeding Systems were controlled - [![Electric fishing in the river Our and Sauer](/thumbnails/74626-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/23595/) [## Electric fishing in the river Our and Sauer](/news/23595/) Fish monitoring at two different locations on the river Our and Sauer - [![Fishing competition and guiding](/thumbnails/74623-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/23594/) [## Fishing competition and guiding](/news/23594/) Activities for families, information about Natura 2000 zones and facility guiding. - [![Relocation of the Ruederbaach](/thumbnails/73637-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/relocation-of-the-ruederbaach/) [## Relocation of the Ruederbaach](/news/relocation-of-the-ruederbaach/) Natur&ëmwelt undertook some protective measures to ensure the water quality of the river Our and the natural freshwater sources of the small stream Ruederbaach - [![LIFE Unio is hiring](/thumbnails/72722-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/life-unio-is-hiring/) [## LIFE Unio is hiring](/news/life-unio-is-hiring/) 31.01.2017 Please consult the German or French Text - [![Happy New Year 2017](/thumbnails/72432-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/23119/) [## Happy New Year 2017](/news/23119/) Dear colleagues, - [![Water protection by installing water evacuation grids](/thumbnails/70960-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/water-protection-by-installing-water-evacuation-gr/) [## Water protection by installing water evacuation grids](/news/water-protection-by-installing-water-evacuation-gr/) 19 water grids have been installed on a forestry road near the Hengeschterbaach. A similiar mesure will soon be done on the Feierbech. - [![Gravel deposition in the Our and Sûre rivers](/thumbnails/70962-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/gravel-deposition-in-the-our-and-sre-rivers/) [## Gravel deposition in the Our and Sûre rivers](/news/gravel-deposition-in-the-our-and-sre-rivers/) On both rivers one can see gravel hives. The next high-water will drift the gravel downwards and the newly formed gravel bancs will be accepted and used by fishes for spawning activity. - [![Inspection of the mussels in the gravel cages](/thumbnails/70957-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/inspection-of-the-mussels-in-the-gravel-cages/) [## Inspection of the mussels in the gravel cages](/news/inspection-of-the-mussels-in-the-gravel-cages/) For some years, the mussels have been released in gravel cages in the breeding channel at the Mill of Kalborn - [![Did you know that a mussel can clean 40 liters of water per day?](/thumbnails/46219-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/did-you-know-that-a-mussel-can-clean--liters-of-wa/) [## Did you know that a mussel can clean 40 liters of water per day?](/news/did-you-know-that-a-mussel-can-clean--liters-of-wa/) What the mussels do, is not to be paid with money and technically not implementable. That is why natur & ëmwelt started a life project to preserve the thick shelled river mussel in river Our and the Sauer some years ago. - [![First study on freshwater mussel stocks in 26 European countries](/thumbnails/67812-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/22096/) [## First study on freshwater mussel stocks in 26 European countries](/news/22096/) The Status Quo on Europe’s Mussels Mussels are the natural treatment plants of bodies of water and, therefore, just as important as bees. Unfortunately, they are equally threatened: most of the world’s mussel stocks are in decline and some species face extinction. For this reason, scientists from 26 European countries have compiled the first comprehensive survey on the status quo of freshwater mussel species in Europe and can now provide recommendations for the future protection of the species. - [![Water experience center at the mill of Kalborn - center for aquatic environmental education](/thumbnails/67839-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/22109/) [## Water experience center at the mill of Kalborn - center for aquatic environmental education](/news/22109/) In 2016 natur & ëmwelt Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur opened the water experience center at the mill of Kalborn in the north of Luxembourg. School classes and younger children get the possibility to learn more about the complexity of the aquatic life. - [![The 2016 propagation season is kicking off! ](/thumbnails/67335-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/21994/) [## The 2016 propagation season is kicking off!](/news/21994/) On April 8, breeding animals were collected in the river Our and brought to the rearing facility at the mill of Kalborn. - [![Third report (Progress Report II) online](/thumbnails/67337-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/21996/) [## Third report (Progress Report II) online](/news/21996/) Under Project Data, annual reports the third report (Progress Report II) can be downloaded. - [![Aerial views from the mill of Kalborn](/thumbnails/67014-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/21927/) [## Aerial views from the mill of Kalborn](/news/21927/) In the summer of 2015 students from the Lycée technique agricole Ettelbruck have done some aerial photography in the area of the mill in Kalborn. Here is a little movie. - [![Happy New Year 2016](/thumbnails/65488-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/21498/) [## Happy New Year 2016](/news/21498/) Dear colleagues, - [![The 2nd International Seminar, Rearing of unionoid mussels, was a success](/thumbnails/65486-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/21497/) [## The 2nd International Seminar, Rearing of unionoid mussels, was a success](/news/21497/) Summary of the seminar - [![ Removing of two fish migrating obtacles at the Schwärzerbaach](/thumbnails/65483-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/21496/) [## Removing of two fish migrating obtacles at the Schwärzerbaach](/news/21496/) After a six-month planning phase the work started finally in October 2015. - [![Latest informations about the 2nd International Seminar Rearing of unionoid mussels](/thumbnails/58372-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/19230/) [## Latest informations about the 2nd International Seminar Rearing of unionoid mussels](/news/19230/) Clervaux, Luxembourg, Tuesday 24th November – Friday 27th November 2015 - [![Protect soil to feed people](/thumbnails/63654-212-0-Max.jpeg)](/news/20947/) [## Protect soil to feed people](/news/20947/) Under this Motto, the international well known, microbiologist and soil expert Lydia and Claude Bourgignon explained and commented the structure of two soil profiles on arable land in the catchment of the Feierbech. Agricultural advisers, farmers and other professional actors participated and learned how the soil and soil life can be protected. - [![Electric fishing in the river Our and Sauer](/thumbnails/62512-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/20639/) [## Electric fishing in the river Our and Sauer](/news/20639/) End of May beginning of June the stock of fish in the river Our and Sauer was investigated at always two points . - [![Juvenile mussels (Unio crassus)](/thumbnails/62231-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/20476/) [## Juvenile mussels (Unio crassus)](/news/20476/) In June, the young river mussels were collected. In total several thousands dropped from the host fish and are now cultured in the breeding station. See also: - [![Spawning lampreys](/thumbnails/59925-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/19762/) [## Spawning lampreys](/news/19762/) At the moment (April 2015) lampreys are spawning in the mill raceway. - [![The Midterm Report is online](/thumbnails/59952-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/19763/) [## The Midterm Report is online](/news/19763/) Under Project Data, annual reports the Midterm Report can be downloaded. - [![2nd information evening for the farmers](/thumbnails/59038-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/19477/) [## 2nd information evening for the farmers](/news/19477/) Use of pesticides - how can their negative effects be reduced? - [![International Water-Meeting for the river Sauer](/thumbnails/56936-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/18741/) [## International Water-Meeting for the river Sauer](/news/18741/) Unio crassus was an abundant species in most of the rivers in Luxembourg. - [![Job Offer for environmental technician](/thumbnails/46362-212-0-Max.gif)](/news/18734/) [## Job Offer for environmental technician](/news/18734/) natur&ëmwelt - Fondation Hëllef fir d’Natur seeks for it's LIFE Project: - [![New data and results under](/thumbnails/55862-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/18300/) [## New data and results under](/news/18300/) under "Project data" - [![Visitations at the rearing center ](/thumbnails/55783-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/visit/) [## Visitations at the rearing center](/news/visit/) During the summer, many groups visited the breeding station at the mill of Kalborn - [![Age determination of Unio crassus](/thumbnails/55298-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/18078/) [## Age determination of Unio crassus](/news/18078/) Diagram showing - [![Rearing Unio crassus](/thumbnails/54403-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/rearing-uc/) [## Rearing Unio crassus](/news/rearing-uc/) At the end of April, the females from Unio crassus started to release the larvae. - [![Project leaflet](/thumbnails/54409-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/flyer/) [## Project leaflet](/news/flyer/) At the moment only in German language - [![International Water-Meeting for the river Our](/thumbnails/53789-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/17429/) [## International Water-Meeting for the river Our](/news/17429/) Unio crassus was an abundant species in most of the rivers in Luxembourg. - [![Second report (Progress Report) online](/thumbnails/52885-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/17005/) [## Second report (Progress Report) online](/news/17005/) Under Project Data, annual reports the second report (Progress Report) can be downloaded. - [![New section with first results and downloads](/thumbnails/51916-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/16595/) [## New section with first results and downloads](/news/16595/) In the new section "Project Data" first results and Downloads can be found. - [![Happy New Year 2014](/thumbnails/51502-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/happy-new-year/) [## Happy New Year 2014](/news/happy-new-year/) We wish you all the best for 2014 - [![Informations about soil erosion](/thumbnails/50333-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/16036/) [## Informations about soil erosion](/news/16036/) Wir möchten alle landwirtschaftlichen Betriebe, die Parzellen im Einzugsgebiet der Our und der Sauer bewirtschaften, zu einem Seminar zum Thema: - [![Wildlife at the Mill of Kalborn](/thumbnails/50095-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/15952/) [## Wildlife at the Mill of Kalborn](/news/15952/) - [![Mussel search](/thumbnails/48098-212-0-Max.jpg)](/news/mussel-search/) [## Mussel search](/news/mussel-search/) To get an overview about the population the found mussels are marked and again released at the same spot. The tagged mussels are checked once a year. - [![Mussel monitoring](/thumbnails/47093-212-0-Max.jpeg)](/news/mussel-monitoring/) [## Mussel monitoring](/news/mussel-monitoring/) Since mid June the water Level in the river Our and Sauer allow the search of mussels. On gravel Banks also Young individuels were observed. - [![Electric fishing](/thumbnails/47095-212-0-Max.jpeg)](/news/electric-fishing/) [## Electric fishing](/news/electric-fishing/) The fish assemblage in the river Our was analyzed with electric fishing. Potential host fish, like minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) were checked for Unio crassus larvae. - [![Detection of erosion problems](/thumbnails/47092-212-0-Max.jpeg)](/news/detection-of-erosion-problems/) [## Detection of erosion problems](/news/detection-of-erosion-problems/) During winter and spring forest- and rural ways were observed to detect erosion problems.