DESCRIPTION

Beavers are powerful ecosystem engineers, but in managed open space and urbanizing watersheds their dams can collide with trails, culverts, stormwater infrastructure, and public safety—creating high‑frequency conflicts that reactive removal alone can’t solve. In this 60‑minute interactive session, participants will work through real site scenarios using a data‑driven, adaptive framework that combines district‑wide inventory and mapping, risk assessment, and ongoing monitoring to distinguish where beavers provide net benefits versus where intervention is necessary. We’ll explore practical non‑lethal tools (including pond levelers and culvert protection), discuss when removal becomes the only viable option, and highlight how coordinated partnerships—spanning local agencies and statewide alignment—turn fragmented responses into a shared strategy for “caring for the commons.”

ADDITIONAL INFO:

EXPERIENCE LEVEL:

Entry Level/Early Career