Amphibian & Reptile Conservancy (ARC)
Screenshot of Dr. Apodaca looking at a hellbender.
Living along the West Coast all her life, Mallory never understood the draw to freshwater until she moved to Tennessee and collaborated with Dr. JJ Apodaca, founder of Tangled Bank Conservation and leading scientist for the Amphibian & Reptile Conservancy (ARC).
At the ripe old age of 260 million years, the Appalachians have seen a lot, and they have developed an impressive biological narrative in the process.
The Southern Appalachians once bordered a barren glacial landscape, and many species found refuge here. The modern result of nature’s ice age mercy on Southern Appalachia is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the temperate world.
After JJ slipped a slime otter (aka hellbender, US’s largest salamander species) into Mallory’s hands, she instantly felt the desire want to learn more.
With 8.2 million acres of migratory habitat for neotropical birds, more salamander species than any other place on earth, 33,000 miles of wild trout streams, and some 190 aquatic species that are either endangered, threatened or of special concern, today’s Southern Appalachia is a region worth protecting.
Mallory has created a tailored awareness campaign to promote the conservation of the Southern Appalachian Mountain salamanders for the ARC that entailed media and classroom materials.
This packet includes:
Student activities with a final quiz
Teacher guide with quiz answer key
PowerPoint presentation
Video of PowerPoint presentation with narration
Activity video
Printable coloring pages
The incorporated activities are dynamic and creative lessons that strengthen reading comprehension, fact-finding, interviewing, and writing, all while meeting third and fourth grade Next Generation Science Standards
Upload free, interactive lesson packet about here
Mallory is currently working on materials for Amphibian Awareness Week, an international conservation campaign put on by Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)- the largest herpetofauna conservation effort in North America- and other global conservation partners.
Dr. JJ Apodaca searches a creek in North Carolina for hellbenders, US’s largest salamander species.