Stand-Up for the Eastern Hellbender

Thanks to a very dedicate group of students from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Student Leadership Council, high school students launched a successful campaign to have North America’s largest salamander designated as Pennsylvania’s official state amphibian.

In 2019, the eastern Hellbender was officially designated as the state amphibian of Pennsylvania. This recognition was not just a matter of state pride, but a strategic move to highlight the importance of environmental conservation, particularly in preserving water quality and the natural habitats essential for the survival of this unique amphibian. We now have the opportunity to help the Eastern Hellbender throughout its range with an Endangered Species designation.

The decision to designate the eastern Hellbender as Pennsylvania’s state amphibian was a significant step towards raising awareness about the species and the broader issues of water quality and habitat conservation. With its recognizable name, impressive size, and intriguing appearance it is the perfect poster amphibian to effectively demonstrate conservation efforts.

The designation aims to promote initiatives that improve and maintain water quality, as well as efforts to restore and preserve the natural habitats that Hellbenders require. One of the key challenges is combating the effects of siltation, nutrient runoff, and chemical pollutants, which degrade water quality and harm the delicate ecosystems that Hellbenders depend on.

The Eastern Hellbender’s status as an indicator species means that its health reflects the overall health of the aquatic ecosystems it inhabits. Protecting Hellbenders and their habitats has far-reaching benefits for other species, including fish, reptiles, and invertebrates that share the same environment. Efforts to improve water quality and reduce pollution not only support Hellbender populations but also enhance the resilience and biodiversity of entire aquatic communities.

The success of Hellbender conservation initiatives depends on broad-based support from communities, policymakers, and stakeholders – like you. Legislative measures, such as the Clean Water Act and state-specific regulations, play a vital role in protecting water resources and enforcing standards that reduce pollution and habitat degradation.

We can follow the example of Pennsylvania’s youth and push to protect all Hellbender’s by having the US Fish and Wildlife Service designate the Eastern Hellbender as an Endangered Species.

Eastern hellbenders are found in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Public comment period to the USFWS for the proposal to list the Eastern hellbender as an Endangered species will close at midnight on Feb. 11. To submit public comments online, visit the CBF Action Alert at cbf.org/comment.

Written comments can be mailed to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R3-ES-2024-0152, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

You can also be part of a sign-on letter with Appalachian Voice organization  Please sign our petition to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Hellbender