Beavers: Friend, Not Foe

The buck-toothed beaver – Canada’s national animal, the official state mammal of Oregon and New York, and a conservation success story. But how much do you really know about the plucky beaver and its role in the history and ecology of northern North America? To early European colonizers, the beaver was primarily a mammal with coveted fur to be trapped, an intensive practice that ultimately led to near-extinction after 250 years. Beaver fur was so sought-after that this animal is often described as the very reason Canada exists (you’ve probably heard of the Hudson’s Bay Company, built on trading beaver fur). By the late 19th century, beaver conservation measures were enacted, however, because it turns out the beaver is a keystone species. That important role means the beaver increases biodiversity and acts as an ecosystem engineer, creating and maintaining wetlands all on its own. Professional biologist and Nat Hab Expedition Leader Eleanor Edye explains how beavers positively impact local ecosystems and, by extension, other animal species, looking also at the effect they have on human land use. Learn why beavers are not pests, instead playing an incredibly important role in flood mitigation, fire prevention, habitat conversation and much more.


Originally presented June 1, 2022

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