After a California forest was burned by a wildfire, one large parcel of land was left unscathed, thanks to a beaver.

In this clip, students meet two eco-hydrologists who study the ecosystem engineering skills of beavers in fire-prone landscapes. The researchers measure moisture and biodiversity in the untouched parcel and keep track of post-fire recovery radiating from the beaver’s management area.

Students will be asked to think about the resilience these beavers bring to the ecosystems they inhabit and the ways in which these animals can inspire humans to restore nature-based solutions to fire-prone landscapes.

For various PBS legal reasons I cannot embed this excellent video. But promise me you will click on it and be taken to their website to watch, I don’t ask for much. Just promise me this.