Hellbender Discovery Day set for June 13 at Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon

Ariel-Foundation Park, in partnership with Rural Action, will host Hellbender Discovery Day on Saturday, June 13, from 1-5 p.m. at Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon.

This free community event invites guests to explore the hidden life of local waterways through hands-on activities, educational experiences, film screenings, and a guided river exploration focused on the Eastern Hellbender — one of North America’s largest salamanders and an important indicator of healthy streams and rivers.

Known by colorful nicknames like the “snot otter,” “devil dog” and the “lasagna lizard,” the Eastern Hellbender has become an unusual but important symbol of clean water and healthy ecosystems throughout Appalachia.

Hellbender Discovery Day is part of Ohio’s America-250 celebration and a broader film screening series presented by Rural Action and partner organizations throughout Appalachian Ohio. The series celebrates the Eastern Hellbender, local wildlife, and ongoing efforts to protect and restore the region’s waterways, with events taking place in Knox, Scioto, and Columbiana counties throughout the summer and fall.

The afternoon at Ariel-Foundation Park will begin in the Schnormeier Event Center with watershed activities and games from 1-2 p.m. with assistance from SPI Spot, followed by a screening of Hidden Creatures in Wild Waters: Protecting What Lives Below from 2-3 p.m. From 3-5 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to join a guided Kokosing Scenic River exploration led in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, offering families a chance to connect with the natural resources and wildlife found throughout the region while learning more about conservation and environmental stewardship.

The first 50 children ages 16 and under in attendance will receive a free event t-shirt while supplies last. Guests participating in the river exploration are encouraged to wear outdoor clothing and closed-toe shoes.

Registration is encouraged. To sign up for the event or to get updates and additional information, follow Ariel-Foundation Park on Facebook or visit Ariel-Foundation Park.