Last night I heard from retired USDA hydrologist Suzanne Fouty that she was working with Adam Bronstein of Western Watersheds Project on the final touches of a letter to president Biden asking him to officially prevent beaver trapping on federal public lands as part of the climate change and biodiversity crisis response. They need support from non profits and professionals to sign on. You can read the letter here, and sign on below.

Dear Potential Signatories,

A coalition of non-profit organizations, scientists and concerned citizens has drafted this letter (also attached to this email) to President Biden asking his administration to issue an executive order banning hunting and trapping of beaver (with limited exceptions) on federally-managed public lands as an emergency climate change response.

Beavers are ecosystem engineers that create rich wetlands offering us an important nature-based remedy for carbon drawdown. In addition to climate benefits, beaver dams and meadows provide vital ecosystem services such as water storage and filtration, natural firebreaks, and fish and wildlife habitat.

State fish and game agencies have failed to sufficiently protect beaver across the country. Banning beaver hunting and trapping is the one single factor that we can control to help their populations grow and recover. The urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises now calls for bold action at the executive level of government.

Sign-on Disclaimer: University and agency affiliations will be listed on the letter for informational purposes only to indicate the credentials of the cosigners.

If you represent an organization or are a scientist and would like to sign on to this letter, please fill out the form linked below by 2/17