The former Richard Cronin National Salmon Station, now called the Cronin Aquatic Resource Center (CARC), has a mission as an aquatic resource center for conservation, discovery, and education. Originally built as a state trout hatchery over 60 years ago, the hatchery had been culturing Atlantic salmon for restoration in the Connecticut River basin from the early 1980s until 2013. Under its mission, the CARC is taking special advantage of nearby academic institutions and other partners to foster collaborative studies encompassing a broad range of aquatic issues, such as the restoration of freshwater mussels and their habitats. The Center also places a strong emphasis on developing young professionals and providing sound science to help protect and restore natural resources for future generations.