Cascade Volcanoes • Entered by Linda Buckley on April 2, 2020
Webinar on Beavers
April 1, 2020
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | |
| Post Admin hours | 0.25 |
| Activity Hours | 1.25 |
| Participants | 1 |
| Total Hours | 1.5 |
Key Issue: Wildlife Protection
Activity Type: Trainings (WALTS, CAREs/GLOWs, research, conferences, workshops, etc.)
Key Partners: Oregon Wild
Short Description of Activity
Webinar on the importance of protecting beavers-all over the country-as they are keystone species-not only preventing a trophic cascade (destructive chain of ecological events) but mitigating climate change. An example of the latter is that climate change has brought us more wildfires in certain regions, but the beavers can create a “green” refuge for wildlife. I did not know statistics around how beavers can truly improve wetlands health-in one case, 20 additional acres more open water, 3 more miles wet stream length, 2 additional feet water table, and increased grass production. Beaver relocation and preservation has increased salmonid health too.
Reflection/Evaluation
Ben Goldfarb, independent journalist and author, did a good job. Danielle Mosley, from Oregon Wild presented power point on what their organization is doing both locally and statewide: trapping regulations, beaver conservation plan, climate change policy, translocation. They work closely with Fish and Game (Oregon state and national) and encouraged all of us to sign up for their email updates. There were 400+ attendees on this call, so probably a topic people are “hungry” for. .