State-Level Contacts

If you have questions about hellbenders or want to get involved in local conservation efforts, this page connects you with state-level representatives who can provide guidance, resources, and support.

Project Partners by State

Georgia

US map highlighting state of Georgia.

Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
2070 U.S. Hwy. 278, SE
Social Circle, GA 30025

Hellbender Contact:
Thomas Floyd 
Email: thomas.floyd@dnr.state.ga.us

Illinois

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Endangered Plants and Animals (DNR): dnr.endspec@illinois.gov
Endangered Species Protection Board: dnr.espb@illinois.gov

Indiana

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Purdue University
195 Marsteller Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2033

IN DNR-Fish & Wildlife

Indiana Department of Natural Resources' (IN DNR) Contact:
Nate Engbrecht
5596 E. State Rd. 46, Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 334-1137

Hellbender Contacts:
Nick Burgmeier
Email: nburgmei@purdue.edu

Kentucky

US map highlighting state of Kentucky.


Wildlife Diversity Program
1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601
(800) 858-1549

KDFWR Contacts:
Courtney Hayes, Wildlife Biologist, courtney.hayes@ky.gov

Maryland

Map of U.S. with Maryland highlighted.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Ave., E-1
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

MDNR Contact:
Beth Schlimm
State Herpetologist
beth.schlimm1@maryland.gov

Mississippi

US map highlighting state of Mississippi.

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
2148 Riverside Drive, MS 39202
Phone: 601-576-6000

Hellbender Contacts:
Tom Mann, Zoologist, Mississippi Natural Heritage Program
Email: Tom.Mann@mmns.state.ms.us​

Emily Field Rezac, Research Coordinator, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
Email: Emily.rezac@mmns.ms.gov

Missouri

US map highlighting state of Missouri.

​Conservation Headquarters
2901 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: 573-751-4115
Fax: 573-751-4467

New York

US map highlighting state of New York.

Endangered Species Unit
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754
518-402-8924

Contact:
Michelle R. Herman, M.Sc., Biological Technician The Wetland Trust
118 Golf Course Road
Mobile: 814-232-1204
Email: mh@thewetlandtrust.org

North Carolina

US map highlighting state of North Carolina.

Headquarters: 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606
Mailing Address: 1701 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1701
Phone: 919-707-0010 

Hellbender Contacts:
John D. Groves, Curator Emeritus of Amphibians and Reptiles, North Carolina Zoo
Email: johngroves2005@yahoo.com

Lori A. Williams, Certified Wildlife Biologist, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Email: Lori.Williams@ncwildlife.org 

Ohio

US map highlighting state of Ohio.

2045 Morse Road, Columbus, OH 43229-6693
Phone: (614) 265-6565

Hellbender Contact:
Gregory Lipps, LLC
Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biologist
Ohio State University; Columbus Zoo
Phone: 419-376-3441
Email: GregLipps@gmail.com​

Pennsylvania​

US map highlighting state of Pennsylvania.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Hellbender Contact:
Chris Urban, Chief, Natural Diversity Section
Nongame, Threatened and Endangered Species Coordinator
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission | Division of Environmental Services
Email: curban@pa.gov

Tennessee

U.S. map with Tennessee highlighted.

TN Wildlife Resources Agency


Ellington Agricultural Center
440 Hogan Rd., Nashville, TN 37220
Phone: (615) 781-6500​

Hellbender Contact:
Michael Freake, Professor of Biology, Lee University
Phone: 423-614-8282
Email: mfreake@leeuniveristy.edu

Dale McGinnity, Ectotherm Curator, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Email: dmcginnity@nashvillezoo.org

Virginia

US map highlighting state of Virginia.

Va Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Email: dgifweb@dgif.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 367-1000

Hellbender Contact:
William Hopkins, Ph.D. Professor and Director
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Conservation Physiology & Wildlife Exotoxicology
The Global Change Center at Virginia Tech
Office: 540-231-7292
Email: hopkinsw@vt.edu

West Virginia

US map highlighting state of West Virginia.

WV DNR

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources

Fish & Wildlife Resources
324 Fourth Ave, South Charleston, WV 25303
Phone: (304) 558-2771

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