TMU Biology Field Station receives national recognition and grants towards conservation of Kentucky’s state amphibian

Thomas More University’s Biology Field Station has received two grants to support research and conservation efforts for the eastern hellbender along the Ohio River. The National Science Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, and Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom provided the funding to protect the vulnerable salamander, which is the largest amphibian native to North America.

Field station director Chris Lorentz said the grants will help expand facilities to raise eastern hellbenders from eggs for eventual release into the wild. The species serves as an apex predator in nocturnal freshwater streams and acts as an indicator of water health.

Kristy Jones, the wildlife and nature education director for the National Wildlife Federation, noted that the organization chose the program due to the field station's hands-on learning and student engagement. Jones described the hellbender as a unique species that requires more public attention.