Hellbender Presentations

I give public and private presentations on the Natural History of the Eastern Hellbender in Pennsylvania. My presentations cover biology, ecology, scientific research, and the history of human interaction with these fascinating creatures. The presentations last about an hour and include my personal underwater videos. If conditions permit, I will bring live hellbenders! I have my own presentation equipment.

If you would like to have your group considered for a hellbender presentation, please contact me at petokas@lycoming.edu. Provide information on your group, dates and times when you would like the presentation to occur, and how many will be in attendance. With travel costs as high as they are, I would prefer to be compensated for travel expenses.

Past Presentations

North Pennsylvania Conservancy, Annual Banquet, Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA. 5:30 PM. October 23, 2006. Presentation to NPC supporters.

Pennsylvania Biological Survey, Amphibian and Reptile Technical Committee, Pennsylvania State Museum, Harrisburg, PA. 1:00 PM. October 24, 2006. Presentation to technical committee members.

Warrensville Area Lions Club, Regular Monthly Meeting, Warrensville United Methodist Church, Warrensville, PA. 7:00 PM. November 7, 2006. Presentation to club members.

Lyceum Group, Regular Monthly Meeting, Johnson City, NY. 11:00 AM. November 8, 2006. Presentation to group members.

USGS Northern Appalachian Research Lab, Wellsboro, PA. 9:00 AM. December 21, 2006. Presentation to lab research group.

Pennsylvania Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Annual Spring Conference, Ramada Inn, 1450 South Atherton, State College, PA. March 17, 2007. Conference presentation. Conference photos and abstracts.

“The North American Hellbender and its Relationship to the Giant Salamanders of China and Japan”

Bergen County Technical School, Hackensack, NJ. 11:00 AM. March 27, 2007. Presentation to Japanese and BCTS high school students. Presentation photos.

“The Hellbender Salamanders of Pennsylvania and their History in the Kettle Creek Watershed”

Kettle Creek Valley Outdoors Show, Cross Fork Fire Hall, Cross Fork, PA. 11:30 AM. March 31, 2007. Open to the public. Exposition admission charge is $3 for adults, children under 12 free. All admission charges are used to support the Kettle Creek Hose Company and Kettle Creek Ambulance Association.

“Hellbender Tales: Observations of an Underwater Naturalist”

Keystone Divers, Regular Monthly Meeting, Restless Oaks Restaurant, McElhattan, PA. 2:00 PM. April 1, 2007. Presentation to group members, but open to the public. Attendees must pay for their own meal.

“In Search of Pennsylvania’s Loch Ness Monster”

Montour Preserve, Washingtonville, PA. 7:00 PM. April 11, 2007. Presentation to watershed association members, but open to the public.

“Kiss a Hellbender and Free a Prince”

Trout Unlimited, R. B. Winter Chapter, Regular Monthly Meeting, Towne Taverne, Lewisburg, PA. 7:00 PM. April 18, 2007. Presentation to chapter members, but open to the public.

“Kiss a Hellbender and Free a Prince”

Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel, PA. 7:00 PM. May 23, 2007. Open to the public. Program admission charge is $3 for members, $5 for nonmembers. All admission charges are used to support sanctuary programs.

“History of Hellbender Removal from Pennsylvania Streams”

3rd Hellbender Symposium, Oglebay Resort, Route 88, Wheeling, WV. June 12, 2007. Conference presentation. Conference registration required.

“Kiss a Hellbender and Free a Prince”

Lancaster Herpetological Society, Regular Monthly Meeting, North Museum, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA. 7:00 PM. August 17, 2007. Presentation to society members, but open to the public.

“The Giant Hellbender Salamander”

Cub Scout Pack 88, Loyalsock Valley Elementary School, Loyalsockville, PA. 6:30 PM. September 25, 2007. Presentation to Cub Scouts, but open to the public.

“Kiss a Hellbender and Free a Prince”

Trout Unlimited, Lloyd Wilson Chapter, Regular Monthly Meeting, Southern Clinton County Sportsman’s Club, Loganton, PA. 7:00 PM. November 2, 2007. Presentation to chapter members, but open to the public.

“Natural History of the Eastern Hellbender in North-Central Pennsylvania”

Seminar Series, Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA. 3:00 PM. November 16, 2007. Presentation to Faculty and Students, but open to the public.

“Hellbender!”

Lamar Township Elementary School, Mill Hall, PA. 9:00 AM. November 20, 2007. Presentation to fourth grade class. Not open to the public.

“Natural History of the Eastern Hellbender in North-Central Pennsylvania”

Fishing Creek Sportsmen’s Association, Hoboken Sub Shop, Benton, PA. 6:30 PM. February 2, 2008. Presentation follows association annual banquet at 6:00 PM. Open to members only. Banquet ticket required.

“The Eastern Hellbender Salamander in Pennsylvania: 300 Years of Resource Mismanagement”

Keystone Coldwater Conference, PennStater Conference Center, State College, PA. February 22-23, 2008. Conference registration is required.

“The Eastern Hellbender Salamander: Natural History and Conservation Biology”

Milton Area High School, Milton, PA. 11:00 AM. February 25, 2008. Presentation to Environmental Science class. Not open to the public.

“The Eastern Hellbender Salamander: Natural History and Conservation Biology”

Fishing Creek Watershed Association, Bloomsburg, PA. 7:00 PM. March 10, 2008. Presentation to association members, but open to the public.

“External Physical Characteristics and Health Condition of Eastern Hellbenders in North-Central Pennsylvania”

Annual Meetings of the Pennsylvania Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Ramada Inn, State College, PA. March 22, 2008. Conference registration is required. Co-presented with Brent Hile.

“The Eastern Hellbender Salamander: Natural History and Conservation Biology”

Consolidated Sportsmen of Muncy Creeks, Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department, Hughesville, PA. 6:00 PM. March 29, 2008. Presentation follows association annual banquet at 6:00 PM. Open to members and their guests. Banquet tickets required.

“External Physical Characteristics and Health Condition of Eastern Hellbenders in North-Central Pennsylvania”

Annual Meetings of the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences, Holiday Inn, Grantville, PA. April 5-6, 2008. Conference registration is required. Co-presented with Brent Hile.

“Hellbender Tales: Observations of an Underwater Naturalist”

LHUP Divers, Regular Monthly Meeting, Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA. Time TBA. April 3, 2007. Presentation to group members, but open to the public.

Future Presentations

“The Eastern Hellbender Salamander: Natural History and Conservation Biology”

Rose Valley Lake and Mill Creek Watershed Association, Campbell Township Community Building, Cavert, PA. 7:00 PM. August 4, 2008. Open to the public.

E-mail: petokas@lycoming.edu

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Last Updated 04/23/08