2026/06/09 by Emily M. Davidson, Ryan Gunderson
Environmental Science · Psychology · #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Animal and Plant Science Education #Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
paper · pdf · doi:10.1670/2707906
Through in-depth interviews with 18 Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) conservation experts, we identified strategies for community involvement and education related to Eastern Hellbenders conservation. Many experts agreed that, with some exceptions, the public should typically be excluded from Eastern Hellbenders conservation efforts that involve disclosure of population locations. However, there are many avenues for including the public in conservation efforts related to habitat protection and improved water quality. To increase participation among private landowners, experts reported that it is essential to build respectful and trusting relationships and frame conservation efforts in ways that resonate with landowner values. Experts recommended that the public advocate for policies that promote clean watersheds and wildlife health and conservation. Experts who discussed the Endangered Species Act generally agreed that an endangered listing would be warranted for this subspecies. Raising awareness about Eastern Hellbenders by partnering with schools and other institutions would be helpful for addressing unfamiliarity with, and misperceptions about, Eastern Hellbenders. Whereas the commonly perceived ugliness of Eastern Hellbenders may be an obstacle to persuading the public to care about their conservation, experts reported that the physical characteristics of Eastern Hellbenders that some may find displeasing or strange can act as gateways to knowledge about their biology and ecology. Discussing Eastern Hellbenders as an indicator species as well as emphasizing their uniqueness were commonly suggested framing strategies for convincing the public to care about Eastern Hellbenders. More research is needed on the positive and negative impacts of public participation in amphibian conservation measures.