Working Beaver Forum

Over 70 participants from around the West gathered to share their knowledge of beaver at the first annual Working Beaver Forum held on March 31-April 1, 2009. The Forum was organized by The Lands Council, Oregon Natural Desert Association, Grand Canyon Trust, and the National Forest Foundation. The Working Beaver Forum was designed for local, state and federal agencies, tribal agencies, and non-profit organizations interested in beaver management. The goal of the forum was to convene a group of interested parties to discuss issues related to beavers and their benefit to watersheds.

This event had several themes, including Beaver as Water Storage, Ecosystem Services Provided by Beaver, and Successes and Challenges of Beaver Restoration. One standout was Sherri Tippie, who spoke about her experiences trapping and relocating beaver for over 20 years in Colorado. There was great participation from fishery and wildlife experts from local, state and federal agencies, four Tribes, and a couple of ranchers. The Lands Council's project to study the potential for beavers to store water for late season use was discussed in detail. The Forum provided an excellent opportunity to build support for our effort and network with experts trying to restore beavers throughout the West. Forum participants also enjoyed a hike to nearby Liberty Lake County Park, where we were treated to a view of the beaver dams and an active beaver.

Click on the links below to view the Forum agenda, view handouts and listen to podcasts from the Forum.

Forum Agenda 

Forum Handouts

Forum Podcast 

"The number of beaver you have, is the number of beaver you should have. Beaver are exactly where they should be, doing exactly what they should be doing and exactly what needs to be done." - Sherri Tippie, Wildlife 2000

Photos from top to bottom: (1) forum participants spot a beaver (2) forum participants on a hike to tour Liberty Lake beaver dams