Beavers are a keystone species, meaning they play a critical role in maintaining or improving the biodiversity of ecosystems. Many species, some endangered or threatened, rely on beavers and the landscapes they engineer. There are numerous benefits that other species, including humans, can derive from beavers – including from the wetlands they create, improved water quality and availability, and their contribution to local biodiversity.
In many cases, the most pressing issue regarding beavers is not how to manage their populations, but rather how to minimize conflict between humans and beavers. There are many ways to manage conflicts effectively, humanely, and safely, while protecting beavers for the benefits they bestow to the environment.
The economic reality is that preventative measures cost eight times less than reactive and repetitive measures, when costs otherwise buried in road, drainage, storm water, and forestry department budgets are considered.
As well, the public increasingly demands environmentally progressive, safe, cost-effective, humane, and sustainable solutions.
Techniques for mitigating human/beaver conflicts in urban and suburban environments.
This is a manual with the most current and widely accepted tools to allow wildlife managers to maintain beaver populations while mitigating conflict and assuring public safety. These tools will allow the beaver’s continuing contribution to healthy ecosystems.