North American beaver (Castor canadensis) are what biologists call a “keystone species” as the habitat they create benefits many other species. Their dams improve water quantity and quality, increase late season flow and reduce the impacts of flooding. Beaver bank burrows and food caches provide critical habitat for many native and endangered California species. Despite these benefits, current California beaver policy solely focuses on recreational hunting and lethal nuisance management. In response, the WATER Institute launched a Bring Back the Beaver Campaign to educate citizens about the importance of beaver. In order to improve water supply for humans and the environment and increase resilience to drought and climate change, we are working to integrate their management into California policy and regulation.
To learn more, contact Kate Lundquist (ext. 118) or Brock Dolman (ext. 106).
photo by Rusty Cohn
To learn more about beaver and to help promote their water saving abilities in California we suggest the following:
- Learn about beaver in California by reading our guidebook: Beaver in California: Creating A Culture of Stewardship
- Educate yourself about beaver and how to coexist with them by reading materials from our Benefits of Beaver to California & Management Strategies Resource List.
- Read Ben Goldfarb’s book Eager: The Surprising, Secret Lives of Beavers and Why They Matter. OAEC’s Bring Back the Beaver Campaign is featured prominently.
- Refer beaver conflicts to the OAEC WATER Institute (contact Kate Lundquist).
- Help us map current sightings of beaver with The Beaver Mapper or on iNaturalist.
- Donate to our campaign
The WATER Institute collaborates with agency scientists, environmental organizations, consulting biologists and interested citizen activists to support existing colonies and, where appropriate, re-establish beaver to enhance watershed restoration and salmon recovery efforts.
Support the Bring Back the Beaver Campaign
and show the world that you are a ‘beaver believer’!
