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.

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. The Eastern Hellbender is 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.

Rural Action and partner organizations throughout Appalachian Ohio will present Hellbender Discovery Day as part of Ohio’s America-250 celebration and a broader film screening series.

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.

An afternoon of watershed activities and games

The afternoon begins in the Schnormeier Event Center with watershed activities and games from 1-2 p.m. with assistance from SPI Spot. A screening of Hidden Creatures in Wild Waters: Protecting What Lives Below will follow from 2-3 p.m.

From 3-5 p.m., participants can join a guided Kokosing Scenic River exploration led in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The exploration offers families a chance to connect with the natural resources and wildlife found throughout the region. They can also learn more about conservation and environmental stewardship.

The first 50 children ages 16 and under 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. Visit Ariel-Foundation Park to sign up for the event.