Red Salamander Close to Becoming the State Salamander

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/19/2018
Red Salamander Closer to Becoming State Salamander
RICHMOND, VA – Members of Salamander Saver 4-H Club waited in Senate Room 3, anticipating the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology’s vote on HB 459. Salamander Savers was joined by representatives from VDGIF and VHS. Delegate Filler-Corn presented the bill that would name the red salamander as the state salamander of Virginia. Before the vote was cast, Senator Black spoke on behalf of Salamander Savers 4-H club and acknowledged their advocacy efforts. He then produced a photograph of the red salamander, which was given to him by club members earlier that week. After displaying the photograph to his colleagues, Senator Black asked that the other Senators vote in favor of HB 459 because the red salamander was “cute as a button.” The bill passed committee 14-1. Salamander Savers hopes that HB 459 will pass into a law later this week.
Salamander Savers 4-H Club has been lobbying for a state salamander for over a year. The members of the club have gathered signatures, spoken at county fairs and gone to Town Hall meetings in order to promote salamanders and their habitat. This year alone the club members have written over 150 cards to the representatives in Richmond, some of which they hand delivered.
Each year Salamander Savers 4-H Club hosts a free event called Salamander Saturday where the community is invited to learn more about salamanders in their local community. For more information about the club visit: https://savethesalamanders.weebly.com/
Please contact Anna Kim with any questions: puedosonar@gmail.com