About Us

Everyone c​an do something to Help the Hellbender. On this website, you will find information about the hellbender, as well as household and farm management practices that can help keep our rivers and streams clean. People who fish and kayak can also learn what they should do if they see a hellbender in the wild.

The Help the Hellbender Project is a joint project involving partners from across the country. More information​ about our partners can be found by visiting: Project Partners.

Contact us with any questions, requests for presentations, requests for resources and your suggestions.

Hellbender Havoc Game, Apple Store

Featured Video

Featured Video

Hellbender eggs in tank, Help the Hellbender conservation.
Hellbender Virtual Tour
Learn About Hellbenders

 

Aerial view of farm land and house beside a photo of hellbender.

Funding is now available to producers in the Blue River-Sinking Watershed to implement conservation practices on their land to assist with the recovery of Eastern Hellbenders and improvement of aquatic resources. This funding is provided through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and will assist farmers in implementing practices designed to keep nutrients.


Map of partners.
Jarred Brooke gives a presentation on forest management for deer
Ohio River Valley Woodlands and Wildlife Workshop Offers Chance to Learn From Extension Specialists

Do you want to learn how to get the most out of your property? Make plans to attend the 2024 Ohio...

Read More
Seated - Left to Right: Virginia Morris (Harrison County SWCD Office Manager), Eliza Hudson (Regional Conservation Partnership Program Coordinator for the Farmers Helping Hellbenders Program), Cora Brown (Washington County SWCD Technician). Standing (top row) - Left to Right: Aaron Walker (Washington County SWCD Supervisor), Nevada Wagers (Washington County SWCD Office Manager), Rhonda Johnson (Washington County SWCD Supervisor), Ruth Hackman (Washington County NRCS District Conservationist)
Help the Hellbender Team Honored as Friends of Conservation

Dr. Rod Williams, extension wildlife specialist Nick Burgmeier and the Help the Hellbender team...

Read More
Hellbender eggs, a gilled larvae and an adult hellbender
Researchers Discover Young Hellbender in Blue River

Biologists with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Purdue University recently...

Read More
An adult eastern hellbender
Help the Hellbender Lab Honored for Conservation Efforts

Dr. Rod Williams and the Help the Hellbender research team have earned three honors in 2023 for...

Read More
Eastern Hellbender salamander
Help the Hellbender Program Receives Hoosier Outdoor Writers Conservation Award

The Help the Hellbender team, led by Dr. Rod Williams, professor of wildlife science, has been...

Read More
Eastern Hellbender salamander
USDA Awards Farmers Helping Hellbenders Project $2.7 Million in Funding

The “Farmers Helping Hellbenders” project, led by Dr. Rod Williams and Purdue...

Read More