For Immediate Release

Defenders of Wildlife and our partners in the Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative, including the Conservation Management Institute at Virginia Tech, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and many others, have secured over $1.2 million to hire three partner biologists to implement conservation measures for the hellbender, the largest salamander in North America and one of the most threatened.  

The biologists will work with private landowners through the Working Lands for Wildlife program, which supports farmers using conservation practices on their lands that improves water quality and restores hellbender habitat. The funding is available through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant.  

The hellbender, a large aquatic salamander native to several states throughout the Appalachian region, is struggling to survive habitat loss and degradation.  

Statement from Defenders of Wildlife Southeast Program Field Conservation Representative Kat Diersen: 

Hellbenders are fascinating creatures, ancient giants of Appalachian waterways. This is a great step on the path to recovery for the hellbender. Wildlife conservation doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it’s a team effort. This grant will help the Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative work directly with farmers and landowners to protect the habitat this Appalachian icon needs to survive and thrive.” 

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

News

Image
Mojave Desert Tortoise
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Guts Public Comments for Federal Projects

The Trump administration has gutted the National Environmental Policy Act by restricting the public’s ability to participate in government decision-making and understand how our tax dollars are being spent.
Image
US Capitol Building Washington DC
Washington, D.C.

Senate Budget Reconciliation Strikes Heart of American Wildlife, Wild Places

Defenders of Wildlife hammered the Senate’s version of the budget reconciliation bill for striking at the heart of America’s wildlife and wild places.