Blog by Alexis Hinchliffe, Wildlife Educator
Have you ever heard of a hellbender?
No, it’s not a fire-breathing dragon—it’s actually a giant, slimy, super-cool salamander that lives in the clean, cold mountain rivers of our area! And guess what? A group of awesome 5th graders recently spent a whole school year learning all about these amazing creatures—and even created real books to help others protect them!
The students kicked off their project by diving into research about hellbenders. They didn’t just read books—they actually visited a river where hellbenders live! They learned that these salamanders are struggling because of problems like pollution, deforestation, and storms like Hurricane Helene. So, the students asked a big question: How can we help?
How 5th Graders Helped the Hellbenders
That’s where Champions for Wildlife got to step in! We visited the class to show how art can be a powerful way to speak up for animals. We even helped the students sculpt their own clay hellbenders to take home. Then, the real creativity began. Students worked in groups to write and illustrate children’s books all about the problems hellbenders face—and how kids can help! They used story maps, colorful artwork inspired by Eric Carle, and lots of teamwork. We were lucky to help again by reading their stories and giving feedback before they published their final books!
But they didn’t stop there. These young wildlife champions wanted to share their stories with the world. So, with help from their teacher, they organized a big community event! They hosted a film screening of Hidden Rivers, showed off their books, and even taught people how to sculpt their own hellbenders at our Champions for Wildlife booth. It was the perfect way to end their project—and to inspire others to care about hellbenders, too.
Why are Hellbenders So Important?
These giant salamanders are like river detectives—they let us know how healthy a river is! If you find a hellbender, it means the water is clean and the ecosystem is strong. But when their numbers drop, it’s a warning sign that something is wrong. Protecting hellbenders means protecting clean water—for animals and for people! Want to learn more about hellbenders? Visit our animal learning page about them here!
These students proved that you don’t have to be a grown-up scientist to help wildlife. Whether you’re writing a story, making art, or sharing what you learn, you have the power to make a difference.
Just like them, you can be a Champion for Wildlife!
