A Valentine for Our Rivers
This Valentine’s season, we need your love to protect the Eastern Hellbender, an incredible species in the Ohio River Watershed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed listing the Hellbender as endangered, but it’s up to us to make sure it happens. Join us in advocating for the Eastern Hellbender’s protection by urging the USFWS to officially list them as endangered. You have until February 11, 2025 to share your support and help protect this symbolic creature and the health of our rivers.
An Eastern Hellbender foraging for crayfish on the bottom of the creek.
What Makes the Eastern Hellbender So Special?
The Eastern Hellbender is the largest salamander in North America, growing up to 29 inches long. Often called “snot otter” or “mud devil,” these creatures thrive in cool, clean streams and are vital indicators of water quality. If you spot one, you know the water is healthy—just like a loving relationship requires trust and care, these salamanders need clean water to survive.
Unfortunately, Hellbenders are facing a sharp decline, driven by pollution, habitat destruction, and disease. These threats are particularly dire in the Ohio River Watershed, where their populations are rapidly dwindling. Saving Hellbenders goes beyond preserving a single species; it’s a vital step in safeguarding the health of our rivers and the countless ecosystems that rely on them to survive and thrive. By protecting these ancient creatures, we’re also protecting the intricate web of life that depends on clean, thriving waterways.
Why This Proposal Is Crucial
The endangered species listing would give Hellbenders the protection they need to recover and flourish. It’s a crucial step in showing our love for clean rivers, as protecting Hellbenders means healthier ecosystems for all species, including us. It’s time to speak up! Submit your public comments in support of the Eastern Hellbender by February 11, 2025. Read more about the proposed listing here and to share your voice. Every comment counts in securing the protections these salamanders deserve.
A Future Worth Loving
The Eastern Hellbender deserves our love and protection. By supporting this endangered species listing, we’re not just helping one species—we’re safeguarding the health of our rivers and everything they sustain. Show your love today and help protect the Ohio River Watershed for generations to come.