COA HAS APPROXIMATELY 900 MEMBERS WHICH INCLUDES NOVICE AND ADVANCED COLLECTORS, STUDENTS, PROFESSIONAL MALACOLOGISTS, MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES, AND OTHERS FROM AROUND THE US AND THE WORLD. COA'S EMPHASIS IS TO INCREASE THE INTEREST IN MOLLUSKS THROUGH EDUCATION; TO APPRECIATE THEIR BEAUTY; THEIR BENEFIT TO ECOSYSTEM AND MANKIND; AND TO PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION OF THEM AND THEIR HABITATS AND ENVIRONMENT.