Partnering with Beaver to Restore Wetland
Jessica Doran1, Mark Beardsley1
1EcoMetrics, Breckenridge, CO, USA; Jessica@ecometrics.com
The importance of partnering with beavers, the quintessential aquatic ecosystem engineers, has crystalized in recent years. In the past, restoration approaches have focused on stabilizing channels using engineered repairs. In many Rocky Mountain headwater systems, it is possible to work with a native species to enable natural processes to improve the health of streams and wetlands. This talk explores the history of beavers in Colorado headwaters and why it makes sense to work with the ecosystem engineers as partners in restoration, rather than as products or tools for restoration. We will discuss practical approaches to beaver-related restoration including beaver relocation/reintroduction, conflict resolution, mimicry, and treatments aimed at promoting beaver activity. Partnering with beaver is an obvious, if not always easy, solution to restoring sustainable, resilient, naturally functioning headwaters streams and wetlands.