Well yes Idaho, we can learn to think of beavers in a new way. And we can solve problems not just relocate them. Truly.

More states are rethinking beaver management to help these furry engineers thrive

More states are exploring new ways to manage beavers. Corday shared a summary of the trends in a presentation to hundreds of beaver enthusiasts at the third BeaverCon conference in Boulder this week.

Having a proactive statewide management plan, she said, can help educate the public about the importance of sustaining beaver populations, outline goals for their recovery and help foster coexistence with communities.

“A statewide plan can lay the foundation for how you do those things,” said Corday.

For example, the plans can lay out processes for relocating beavers from places where they’re causing trouble to areas where they can thrive.

“In some cases, being able to translocate them up into the watershed where they could do so much benefit and have so much less risk of conflict,” she said.

Yet, just a few states have beaver management plans. Utah adopted one in 2017 and, as a result of state legislation, California is drafting one now. Colorado wildlife officials signaled earlier this year that they were beginning internal work on the state’s first beaver management plan, which could be drafted over the next couple of years.

Wow! I truly didn’t imagine the day that I would read about the beaver convention on NPR.  I guess we really aren’t in Kansas anymore, toto.

 

Things are still looking ugly for beavers in , British Columbia a little north of seattle.

Calvin Township takes up gnawing issue of beaver damage on private land

Calvin Township is drafting a new by-law to help curb damage from beaver dams. The municipality has had ongoing issues with dams on private property.

Other neighbouring municipalities have similar by-laws, noted Ann Carr, Calvin’s Public Works Superintendent, and “basically the by-law is a mechanism to allow us to control private property flooding and to protect the Municipality’s infrastructure.”

Carr emphasized that the by-law is still in draft.

However, as envisioned, the by-law “will give us a mechanism to enter onto private land” to deal with beavers and their dams before damaging flooding occurs.

See: Beaver dam sparks conflict among Four Mile Lake residents

The by-law would also see the municipality contract as needed, a licensed trapper who could deal with any beavers relentless in their quest for bigger ponds. At one time, trappers would be eager to do this work for free, but with the lower price of pelts, the ambition for trapping beaver is dwindling.

Ahh that’s a darn shame. Killing beaver is hardly worth while anymore, The city should pay for it.

Mayor Richard Gould elaborated. “The price of pelts has dropped to $35 per pelt,” Given the hours needed to harvest those pelts, the work isn’t worth it to many. As such, “We have a beaver population that is exploding.”

“If a large pond lets go,” he added, “that could take out a road.”

The municipality must be protected, but the mayor also emphasized that residents must be protected, and the by-law should give time “for them to act themselves” to fix any beaver issues occurring on their land, before the municipality steps in.

That would be at the resident’s own cost, because “no matter what,” the mayor detailed, “it always falls back to the cost of the resident.” Property owners are responsible for beavers on their land. However, there is not much an owner can do but contact a trapper. As per the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, “a person shall not damage or destroy a beaver dam unless the person holds a license to trap furbearing mammals.”

What if I want to keep beavers and birds and fish in my backyard stream? What if that’s why I bought the house in the first place?

This was nice to see on the rise in California. Apparently the secret t spreading the beaver gospel is making them transaction: How can beavers benefit ME?

Nature’s Engineers: Milestone for Beaver Restoration Will Improve California’s Watersheds

I was so jealous when I saw this article. I dream of he day there are marked “beaver trails” in the US. And no trappers along them!

Exploring new beaver trail at Rothiemurchus – but did I spot any buck-toothed rodents?

 

A great way to learn more about the beaver reintroduction project – and, hopefully, to spot one – is to walk or cycle the newly named Beaver Trail.

The 7km loop, on a pre-existing trail, takes in the beaver’s natural habitat and passes the stunning mirrored waters of Lochan Mor.

If you fancy a short diversion, you can also take in Loch an Eilein.

How fun to walk a marked beaver trail! And there is certainly an apetite for it nowadays. Back when we had actual beavers I would have worried about the possibility of harassment coming the beavers way if there were signs marking the trail. Maybe if it was a larger area and the beavers had more protection I wouldn’t have worried.

Parking at the Woodlands car park at Inverdruie, opposite the estate’s Farm Shop and Barn Cafe, I stroll through the ancient forest and along the easy-to-follow Beaver Trail, signposted in red.

I know this beautiful walk well, having explored it many times in the past – but before it became the dedicated Beaver Trail.

The trail heads through a metal gate and deep into woodland where there are new information boards galore about beavers and ‘gnawed’ wooden signs.

Give beavers space

These advise you to give beavers space if you do spot them and I personally think I would be shocked into silence if I did.

After crossing some open ground, the route undulates through the forest before descending to reach the outflow of glorious Lochan Mor, known locally as the Lily Loch.

Ya ya ya. That’s it. You got beaver chew signs and reminders how to spot wildlife along the way. Sure just show OFF why don’t you. Maybe you could even have a castle or something along the path.

The sun hits the loch as I gaze across its still waters to the ruined 13th Century island castle.

Instead, I turn left and follow the shore path over a footbridge, return to the road, and rejoin the Beaver Trail.

The track has great views across fields and woodland, with boards boasting beaver and wildlife facts along the way.

Oh sure. You get a beaver trail AND a ruined castle and Martinez gets the occasional baby ducks. Sheesh.