Got Nature? Blog

Pictured left to right: Leslie Grow, assistant manager O’Bannon Woods SP, Brandt Baughman, State Parks Director, Nick Burgmeier, Purdue Research Biologist and Wildlife Extension Specialist, Jarrett Manek, Interpretive Naturalist O’Bannon Woods SP, Stanley Baelz, property manager O’Bannon Woods SP.

Indiana State Parks Facebook, Indiana Department of Natural Resources: The Purdue Hellbender Research Team and O’Bannon Woods State Park were recognized for their excellence in resource management at this year’s State Parks division meeting.

Since 2007, the Purdue University Hellbender Research Team has been an invaluable partner at O’Bannon Woods State Park, spearheading the successful recovery of the endangered Eastern hellbender in the Blue River. Their work reintroduced more than 800 individuals with a 75% survival rate, and provided critical educational support through programs and the 5k Hellbender Hustle. Their statewide work has expanded and includes habitat protection efforts, and they provide unique public opportunities at the O’Bannon Woods Nature Center for visitors to enjoy and learn while visiting the Park.

The project is funded by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Division of  Fish and Wildlife, and the animals released are from eggs provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Wildlife and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Learn about the hellbenders by visiting the Nature Center at O’Bannon Woods State Park, Indiana.

Resources:
Help the Hellbenders, Purdue Extension
USDA Awards Farmers Helping Hellbenders Project in Funding, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Got Nature? Blog
Improving Water Quality by Protecting Sinkholes on Your Property, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Improving Water Quality Around Your Farm video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Hellbenders Rock! Nature of Teaching Lesson Plan, The Education Store
Nature of Teaching – Hellbenders Rock Sneak Peek video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Nature of Teaching – Hellbenders Rock webinar video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Learn about hellbenders and take a tour of Purdue’s hellbender rearing facility video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Learn about the hellbender work at Mesker Park Zoo video, Purdue FNR Facebook
Learn about hellbender work at The Wilds video, Purdue FNR Facebook
Dr. Rod Williams’ 2017 TEDx Talk Help the Hellbenders video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Moment in the Wild – Hellbender Hides video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Moment in the Wild – Hellbender Release video , Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Help the Hellbender Facebook Post, Original post from Help the Hellbender Facebook account

Diana Evans, Extension & Web Communications Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources