Become a Hellbender Defender!

A group of inspiring young people are attempting to help clean Pennsylvania's waters with a one-of-a-kind critter—the Eastern hellbender. Eastern hellbenders rely on cold, clear, and swift-running water for survival, but their primary Pennsylvanian habitat is being destroyed.

Roughly 19,000 miles of Keystone State rivers and streams are polluted, and, as a result, the largest salamander in North America is quickly vanishing from the region. Now, students in CBF's Student Leadership Council are drawing attention to the hellbender's plight by working to designate the salamander as Pennsylvania's official state amphibian.

After studying hellbenders and meeting with legislators, the student-written Senate Bill 658 has passed the State Senate. But the State House needs to pass the bill as well. Join the ranks of hellbender defenders by urging your representative to support the hellbender bill.

The students' work to recognize this vanishing critter and highlight the fight for clean water is inspiring. But the job is only half done.

Add your name today and urge members of Pennsylvania's House of Representatives to designate the Eastern hellbender the official amphibian of the Keystone State.
Please support Senate Bill 658!

The largest salamander in North America is quickly vanishing from its primary habitat in Pennsylvania.

A group of student leaders hopes you will help change that.

Eastern hellbenders rely on cold, clear, swift-running water for survival, but roughly 19,000 miles of Keystone State rivers and streams are polluted.

After studying Eastern hellbenders, testing waters for their presence, installing nesting boxes into streams, and meeting with legislators, CBF's Student Leadership Council wrote Senate Bill 658 to designate the salamander as Pennsylvania's official state amphibian.

[YOUR COMMENT ADDED HERE]

As advocates for the hellbender's survival, these students are learning how legislation is created and how Pennsylvania's political process works—they know they can play a role in shaping their own futures and restoring the health of their local rivers and streams. These young leaders have done their due diligence to highlight the critter's place in the continued fight for clean water.

But the job is only half done. The hellbender bill was passed by the Senate, but it needs your support in the State House.

The hellbender effort has gained national attention, making it onto the front page of the Wall Street Journal and as subject of the iconic Mark Trail Sunday comic strip. But attention isn't enough. The students are asking that a vanishing animal be recognized and given an opportunity to rebound. The students and the hellbender deserve an answer.

I urge you to support Senate Bill 658 and vote to designate the Eastern hellbender as Pennsylvania's official state amphibian.
Sign Petition
Sign Petition
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.

Privacy Policy

By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.

Having problems signing this? Let us know.