Dear ,
Time is running out for the Eastern hellbender, one of North America’s most ancient and fascinating creatures. These remarkable salamanders, which have inhabited the rocky riverbeds of the Eastern U.S. for 65 million years, are now on the brink of extinction. Their survival depends on clean, cold, flowing water—conditions increasingly threatened by pollution, habitat destruction, disease, and contaminated waterways.
After years of delay, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has finally proposed listing the hellbender as endangered, thanks to litigation led by Waterkeeper Alliance and partners. This is a crucial step, but we need your help to make it a reality. Hellbenders deserve the full protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), along with a robust recovery plan and on-the-ground habitat safeguards to secure their future.
Have you taken action yet? The deadline is tomorrow—don’t delay! Write to the FWS now and urge them to finalize ESA protection to give these ancient salamanders the lifeline they need to survive!
Why Your Voice Matters
Hellbenders are a sentinel species—guardians of river health. Protecting them ensures the health of freshwater ecosystems, benefiting countless species and communities that rely on clean rivers. Human activity has pushed hellbenders to the edge; now, our collective action can help bring them back.
Act Now!
The public comment period closes tomorrow, February 11. Don’t wait—submit your comment to the FWS today and urge them to finalize ESA protections for the hellbender. Together, we can use our voices to ensure these ancient amphibians receive the protection they deserve to survive and thrive.
Thank you for standing with us to save the hellbender!
Sincerely,
Daniel E. Estrin
General Counsel and Legal Director
Waterkeeper Alliance
