Why Fall is the Ideal Window for Perennials and Natives
~ By Rachel Hellman, 2026 OAEC Garden Intern Here at the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, we’re reveling in the abundance of fall. The grounds are teeming with produce, and … Read more
New Field Tour Brings Beaver Coexistence To California State Leaders
Our educational field tour called Beaver Coexistence in Action, introduced 55 policymakers and state leaders to our highly effective coexistence pilot projects at the Cosumnes River Preserve and a neighborhood in the Sierra foothills.
“The BeaverCorps”: Watch The New Feature on This American Land and NBC
Our cohort of Beaver Coexistence Professionals was featured alongside the Beaver Institute in a new TV short called: “The BeaverCorps,” which recently aired on This American Land (PBS) and NBC broadcasts nationwide.
Now Hiring: 2027 Interns
2027 Internships 24 hours/week, residential/living on site. Application Deadline: October 16th 5pm PST. Start Date: Late January or Early February, 2027.
Summer 2026 Food Forests Course
This summer, we welcomed a wonderful group of participants to our second annual Food Forests course. Together, we explored the art and science of designing, implementing, and stewarding perennial edible … Read more
“What it Takes to Become a Beaver Coexistence Professional”: Read Our New Bay Nature Feature
Our latest feature in Bay Nature chronicles the successes and challenges faced by the emerging workforce of Beaver Coexistence Professionals in California and how our coexistence installation at the Cosumnes River Preserve is saving refuge managers from an exhausting maintenance regime some refer to as “beaver CrossFit.”
New Human-Beaver Conflict Model Offers Better Understanding of Beaver Conflicts in California
The WATER Institute team collaborated with Conservation Science Partners to publish California’s first beaver habitat suitability analysis and interactive web mapping model.
Permitting Wins and Positive Press: Process-Based Restoration Gains Public Support in France
This spring, WATER Institute Co-Director Kate Lundquist and her partner, Kevin Swift of Swift Water Design, led their third annual process-based restoration (PBR) training across three regions of France in partnership with Mouvement d’Alliance avec le Peuple Castor (MAPCa).
23rd Annual Chautauqua Revue
Tickets for the 23rd Annual Chautauqua Revue are on sale now! The show runs each night September 10th, 11th, 12th, and September 17th, 18th, 19th, with a matinee on September … Read more
Watch the Webinar: Beaver Coexistence In California 2026
The California Beaver Coexistence Training and Support Program recently presented our 2nd annual webinar featuring coexistence experts and practitioners. Watch the webinar to learn how human-beaver coexistence can deliver benefits across California.
Found Gully Model Launches in Partnership with the University of Chicago Data Science Institute and the 11th Hour Project
This spring, Brock Dolman, Wildlands Program Director, presented our new Found Gully Model at an event celebrating five years of community-centered collaborations between the University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute (DSI) and 11th Hour Project grantees, including OAEC.
Tips for a Bountiful and Resilient Summer Harvest
~ By Rachel Hellman, 2026 OAEC Garden Intern As the frantic pace of late spring gives way to the steady thrum of early summer, we enter a distinct moment in … Read more
What is a Food Forest?
Food forests are biodiverse, regenerative ecosystems designed to mimic the structure and intelligence of natural forests while producing food, medicine, fiber, and habitat for humans and wildlife. Rooted in ecological … Read more
Fuels to Flows: Updates for Spring
This season, our team has strengthened partnerships, laid the groundwork for new training initiatives, consulted on beneficial biomass projects across Northern California, and garnered community support for holistic updates to the California Vegetation Treatment Program.
Beaver Coexistence In California Webinar
Are you ready to learn more about how beaver coexistence can build capacity for land managers and owners in California? Join the California Beaver Coexistence Training and Support Program on … Read more
Resilient Community Design: Learning From Minnesota
~ By Lynn Hoffman, OAEC’s Fiscal Sponsor Program Director and a life-long resident of Minneapolis The whole world watched as Minnesotans stood up to the extreme violence, racism, and terror … Read more
Watch “Building Our Collaborative Capacity With Beavers” With Watershed Solutions Network
In March 2026, Kate, Brock, and Grey joined the Watershed Solutions Network team for a virtual conversation exploring how beavers can help us restore healthier, more resilient watersheds. All gathered … Read more
“Leave it to Beavers”: New Alta Journal Article Features Beaver Coexistence
Our beaver coexistence work was highlighted in Alta Journal’s recent article “Leave it to Beavers.”The article tells the story of beaver benefits, coexistence in California, and the 2025 BeaverCorps training … Read more
California Beaver Help Desk Featured in Maven’s Notebook Article
The California Beaver Help Desk is featured in a recent Maven’s Notebook article called “New program helps California land owners and managers coexist with beavers.”The article tells the story of our … Read more
Knee Deep Times Features Coexistence in California
The WATER Institute is featured in a new Knee Deep Times article called “Tools Tweak Beaver Dams.” The article features examples of coexistence installations, beaver-based climate solutions, and new resources like … Read more
Kate and Brock Honored with an Eco Hero Award!
This March, the WATER Institute’s own Brock Dolman and Kate Lundquist were presented with the 6th Annual Eco Hero Award, granted by the Santa Barbara Permaculture Network to those who have made positive change in the world for more than 30 years.
Watch Fuels to Flows: Bringing nature-based stewardship to the headwaters With the Stewardship Network
WATER Institute Co-Director and Wildlands Director, Brock Dolman, expanded on our Fuels to Flows Campaign for a national network of landscape stewardship professionals. The talk advanced climate-smart, nature-based restoration solutions … Read more
WATER Institute Quoted in the Modesto Bee
WATER Institute Co-Director, Kate Lundquist, was interviewed and quoted significantly in a new Modesto Bee article by Kathleen Quinn called Beavers building dams on Dry Creek in Modesto. Why that’s a … Read more
Beaver Help Desk Issues First Landowner Stipend and Builds a California Beaver Coexistence Workforce
The California Beaver Help Desk launched this fall. Since then, we’ve been fielding new inquiries each week and responding with free site assessments. Last month, we delivered our first landowner stipend to a rancher along the Tuolumne River!
Field Training with Robinson Rancheria and TERA Restores Watershed Health
This fall, the WATER Institute reunited with our partners at Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians and Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA) to lead a training featuring low-tech process-based restoration methods from our Fuels to Flows toolkit.
Report Back From State of the Beaver 2025
In November, WATER Institute Co-Director Kate Lundquist attended the State of the Beaver Conference in Canyonville, Oregon, to connect with an activated community of beaver believers. Kate’s talk, entitled “Beaver … Read more
Watch “Restoring Ecosystems with Beavers” on Ma Earth Learning Lab
Ma Earth Learning Lab featured WATER Institute Co-Director, Kate Lundquist, as she shared a timely talk about the ecological benefits beaver bring to our ecosystems. Watch the recording: “Restoring Ecosystems … Read more
The Nursery Is Open!
We’re excited to announce that the OAEC Nursery is open! After taking the 2025 season off to reimagine our vision for the program and do some much-needed tending of our infrastructure, we … Read more
Confronting the Oil Industry on the Global Stage
In March of 2022, environmental organizations and frontline communities from all over the world fought hard to win a United Nations Environment Assembly resolution…
Permanent Affordable Housing for Agricultural Workers
What if farmworkers had affordable housing near their jobs, a chance to build equity in their homes, and the dignity and security to raise families in a healthy community? A …
