Dr. Amber Pitt Receives a Wild Resource Conservation Grant
Dr. Amber Pitt was awarded a Wild Resource Conservation Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to examine the effect of land use regimes on hellbender habitat and population persistence in Pennsylvania. Hellbenders are giant, aquatic salamanders native to the eastern United States, including Pennsylvania. They are considered indicators of water quality and are sensitive to habitat disturbances and alterations. Their populations have declined dramatically throughout their range. This research will help determine how land use is affecting hellbender habitat and populations in the Susquehanna River drainage in Pennsylvania.