www.singingfalls.com/seine

Much of my time in recent weeks has been dedicated to organizing a gathering of scientific/academic community, agency personnel, Native American nations and stake holders interested. The topic of this conference will be the revitalization of the watershed through the creation of wetlands by beavers (Castor canadensis).
There have been numerous scientific studies regarding the beneficial influence of beavers on the watershed. Their water impounding was natures way of mitigating the fury of winter's rain and the torture of summer's drought. It was this keystone species animal that insured that the majority of the streams throughout the watershed flowed through summer. Many no longer do.
Coho Salmon are now once again on the endangered species list. A significant aspect of this salmonids dwindling numbers is that fact that they no longer have the refugia supplied to them by the beavers. Abstracts have been presented clearly illustrating the essential role beavers play in producing large vibrant smolt populations throughout the stream systems of Alaska
80% of the endangered species of the continental US are associated with wetlands. Beavers are appointed by God as the genius engineers of wetlands. Their skills and industry in this regard are unparalleled in nature. Man-made dams are on the "No No" list because of their negative impact on every aspect of aquatic habitat and fisheries. Many dams are being torn down and others are being considered for dismantling. Where will the water reserves needed for agriculture and urban usage come from? We feel that the hundreds of thousands of acre feet of water retained behind beaver ponds are an important part of the equation.
We will never return to the vast populations of beavers that dwelt in these lands. But the higher end reaches of the stream systems are not generally populated by humans. Here is where the beaver excels. This is where they are needed the most. This is where I live.
So I am busy.
I'll keep you posted