I saw this article and thought what a FANTASTIC job title! I wish all fish and games across the state had such a job! Don’t you?

Living and Working with Beavers for Salmon

Brilyn Brecka, ODFW Beaver Conservation Biologist

On October 12th, 2023 the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council will be hosting their regular board meeting and a presentation w/ Brilyn Brecka, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife North Coast Beaver Conservation Biologist.

Brilyn Brecka’s presentation will begin at 7 pm. Tune in to this presentation by Brilyn Brecka, a beaver biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, to learn how intertwined the lives of beavers and salmon are. For thousands of years, beavers and salmon have co-evolved, creating a relationship between the two species that generate several important benefits to salmon restoration and recovery in coastal systems. Consequently, restoration projects that focus on creating and maintaining beaver and beaver-modified habitats can have a trickle-down effect on salmon populations, not to mention other benefits to both humans and the environment.

My my my, Brilyn sounds fascinating, doesn’t she? Considering that I just got an emergency alert for CDFW saying the would be hand migrating the few remaining coho this year because things were so dire. We’d never do something crazy like make sure there were enough beaver ponds in  their path because we’re too busy worrying that beavers cause whorling disease.

Brilyn Brecka is the Beaver Conservation Biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in the North Coast. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Management, and she integrates her passions for habitat restoration, ecosystem-based management, and wildlife into her everyday work with beavers in Oregon. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and reading.

Graduating in Wisconsin and working in Oregon? Good lord since she must have gotten VERY contradict0ry messages about beavers and fish. Wisconsin is one of the states where they regular blow up dams to improve things for trout. Ironic Much?

Both the Board Meeting and this presentation will be hosted on Zoom and are free to the public. The zoom link is us02web.zoom.us/j/82002702767 or on the Faceboook event at www.facebook.com/lnwc1. You can also contact the watershed council at info@nehalemwatershed.org. A recording of this presentation will also be posted on the LNWC’s YouTube channel with our other recorded presentations. Just search for “Lower Nehalem Watershed Council” on YouTube.

Event Information: This event is FREE and open to the public. Find more information on our speaker series and the links for access on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/lnwc1).

Well that sounds like a fascinating discussion, I hope everyone pays attention.