Because the beaver isn't just an animal; it's an ecosystem!

COMING TOGETHER


Guess what’s happening right now as we speak. Bruce is busily conjuring a website into being. It’s still on its early stages but I thought you’d want to see the conference description.

The California beaver Summit

Climate change is making our state hotter, drier, and harder on people and wildlife. Find out how beaver can help.

Beaver have shaped the landscapes of California for over 5 million years. Their dams have slowed runoff and created wetlands of carbon enriched meadows. They charged aquifers,  maintained  stable temperatures and cooled  stream flows in California’s dry summers. Countless species and entire  ecosystems have adapted to these beaver-maintained hydrologies and geomorphologies.  

Today, across the US, Canada, and Europe, people have begun to better  realize the value these rodents provide. The golden state has been slow to understand this lesson. The California Beaver Summit is an important step towards changing that.

During two half-day sessions on two days in April, we explore the many benefits that beavers offer to our drying state  The first session on April 7th will present an overview of beaver essentials.  Discussion will clarify  the history of beavers in the state, their ecological contribution as a keystone species, their function  in aquatic restoration and conservation, and finally how to successfully manage common conflicts beavers cause.

The second session on April 9th takes a closer look closer at how  biologists, watershed stewards and land managers utilize advances in beaver science and management  for restoration. It addresses  where they are being employed for fire resilience, conservation of  endangered species,  and cleaner water.  California-specific management and policy challenges  will be highlighted along with directions for future improvements. Because we are behind other beaver-progressive  western states like Washington and Utah,  California is in an unique position to avoid their mistakes and learn from their successes.

Fires in close succession and habitat destruction in general are significantly altering our rich biodiversity.  Drought  is a persistent concern.  Understanding beaver  management can transform this animal  from an uninvited guest to an untapped resource. Their stewardship of  streams can make our state more beautiful, more robust to climate change  and ultimately help keep  California’s promise to  future generations for years to come.

Lots of friends are sharing their favorite dam photos to get the website up. Here is a lovely one from Shari Hartstein.

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