Foundation for
the Conservation of Salamanders

One of the four key pillars of the mission of the Foundation for the Conservation of Salamanders is to fund salamander conservation, education, and research initiatives through annual grants. We are the only foundation solely dedicated to conserving all salamanders and our team works tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that funding is available to support the impressive work of herpetologists around the world. FCsal has funded $43,291 in research projects since 2013. 

Our call for proposals is announced annually in November and posted on our website, social media, and partners. Take a look through the impressive work of some of our past grantees for ideas about what activities we support.

Past Grant Recipients

2019

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Long-term effects of silviculture practices on salamander densities

Nicholas Caruso, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Carola Haas, Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

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July Update, January Update

2018

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Proactive development of mitigation tactics to combat the salamander-eating fungus

Molly Bletz and Douglas Woodhams, University of Massachusetts, and Reid Harris, Amphibian Survival Alliance (Update)

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Expanding Eastern Hellbender Captive-Rearing Facilities in Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.

Rod Williams and Nicholas G. Burgmeier, Purdue University, and Joe Smith, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo (Update)

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Sublethal Effects of Insecticide on Salamanders

Donald Brown and Alice Millikin, West Virginia University (November Update) (Final Report)

2017

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The Effects of Specific Conductance on Stream Salamander Occupancy and Allocthony in Southeastern Kentucky

Jacob Hutton from the University of Kentucky, awarded $5,000 (March update) (June update) (November update) (January update)

Ex-situ Conservation Breeding and Repatriation of the Imperiled Striped Newt Notophthalmus perstriatus in the Apalachicola National Forest, Florida

Robert Mendyk and Mark Beshel of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, awarded $1,994 (Update)

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Estimating effective population sizes for central Texas Eurycea cave and spring salamanders

Andrew Corbin at the University of Texas, Arlington, awarded $1,000 (April update)

2016

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Assessment of the Conservation status and needs of Taylor's salamander

Dr. Christopher Michaels from the Zoological Society of London and José Alfredo Hernández Díaz from Africam Safari, awarded $4,474 (Final Report)

(January '17 update, right click) (November update) (September update) (June update) (March update)

Developing China’s first Chinese giant salamander conservation eco trail in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve

Shu Chen from the Zoological Society of London, awarded $500

Vernal Pools for Me

Aram J. K. Calhoun and Kristine Hoffmann from the University of Maine, awarded $500

(Webcomic) (Vernal pool coloring book)

2015

Conservation Genetics and Migration Monitoring of the Rare Pigeon Mountain Salamander (Plethodon petraeus) within a Highly Restricted Range

Thomas McElroy, PhD and Kate Donlon, Kennesaw State University, awarded $5,000 (Final report)

Using environmental DNA as a sampling method for occupancy modeling in the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis)

Thomas W. Franklin, Appalachian State University, awarded $1,000 (Update) (Final report)

2014

Evaluating the implications of local adaptation, habitat connectivity and gene flow for an endemic, high- elevation terrestrial salamander under global change

Brenna Forester, Duke University awarded $5,500 (Final report)

Amphibian Habitat Enhancement and Monitoring in an Urban Area

Sarah Plesuk, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, awarded $2,000 (Update)

2013

Monitoring Appalachian Salamanders Using Environmental DNA

Todd Pierson, Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia, awarded $1,500 (Final report)

Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Ohio Conservation Plan

 Jamie Weyer, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, awarded $500 (Final report)