Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are a widely diverse group that serve significant roles in aquatic ecosystems. However, unionid populations are severely imperiled and their distribution and abundance have been greatly reduced. This decline is primarily due to threats such as river impoundment, overharvesting, the spread of exotic species, and pollution. In the summer of 2023, the Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, piloted a citizen science-based mussel monitoring program using volunteers to assess the distribution and abundance of mussels across the Huron River Watershed. The program consists of volunteer mussel surveys and educational materials that aid in species identification and spreading awareness on mussel conservation. Citizen science is a valuable tool that helps to bridge the gaps in knowledge, awareness, and opportunity that exist for people both interested in and unaware of native freshwater mussels. The program design and survey methods for this ecologically and socially centered program serve as an example for other aquatic conservation groups to follow in developing similar programs.