Beavers - Pitchstone Waters

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Beavers

A collection of 30 posts

Why Beavers Were Parachuted Into the Idaho Wilderness 73 Years Ago

Why Beavers Were Parachuted Into the Idaho Wilderness 73 Years Ago

The traditional way of relocating “nuisance” beavers in the 1940s wasn’t working. To increase the survival rate, one conservation officer turned to—yes—parachutes.

Miracle in the Nevada Desert

"Invasion Biology"

Miracle in the Nevada Desert

Beaver and cattle are symbiotic. Together they can turn desert into wetlands. NOTE: this post was originally published on April 19, 2017, and then reposted on September 9, 2021

The Diesel-Powered Beavers of the Big Hole

The Diesel-Powered Beavers of the Big Hole

In August of 1919, the Lower Big Hole River ran dry.

beavers in West texas

"Invasion Biology"

Can Beavers Restore Far-West Texas?

Two so-called invasive species, cattle and beavers, have the power to restore desert habitats.

Why Us Ranchers Are Becoming Beaver Believers

Why US Ranchers Are Becoming Beaver Believers

As described in the article blow, the US is bringing back nature’s best firefighters: beavers. NOTE: this article was originally published to BBC Futures Apple News channel on January 11, 2024. It was written by Lucy Sherriff. For decades, beavers were considered pests – trapped and shot on sight. Now

The Incredible Hulik and His Beavers

The Incredible Hulik and His Beavers

Biologist Tomas Hulik spent more than 300 days and nights in the wild riverine forest along the river March, separating Slovakia and Austria. After that, Rachel, the matron of this beaver territory, allowed him to watch the daily routine and dramatic adventures of her family of five at close range.

5,000 Years Later, Beavers Return to the High Plains of West Texas

5,000 Years Later, Beavers Return to the High Plains of West Texas

As discussed below. “Beavers were later trapped and exterminated nearly to extinction during the North American fur trade, which … contributed to the destruction of critical wetlands that moisturized dehydrated landscapes, supported biodiversity, and lowered temperatures all over the United States.” NOTE: this article was originally published to Texas Monthly’s

Releasing Beaver on the Fall River in Idaho, 5-Miles from Yellowstone Park

Artificial Beaver Dams

Releasing Beaver on the Fall River in Idaho, 5-Miles from Yellowstone Park

This video of Pitchstone Waters’ second beaver release during the summer of 2020 contains excellent remarks by staff of the Idaho Fish and Game Department. Releasing Beaver on the Fall River in Idaho, near Yellowstone Park from Christopher Gill on Vimeo. NOTE: this video was originally published to this site

Leave It to Beavers

Leave It to Beavers

“As discussed in the article below, “Beaver dams are why some ecologists insist that beavers may be able to help remedy the effects of climate change. Beavers build dams, which create ponds, which create ecosystems. They move water, and so could help alleviate both droughts and floods. They create “beaver

beaver_ponds_pitchstone_waters_idaho

Artificial Beaver Dams

Releasing Beavers in Idaho

Fifth in a series about reintroducing beaver on the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles Southwest of Yellowstone National Park. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 15, 2020

"Invasion Biology"

Beavers in Arizona Deserts

Beavers are keystone species in desert ecosystems. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 30, 2018. And again on May 27, 2020.

Nearly 80 Gnaw-ty Beavers Move to Wilder Neighborhoods

beaver relocation

Nearly 80 Gnaw-ty Beavers Move to Wilder Neighborhoods

“As discussed below, many landowners want to remove nuisance beavers from their property. And, when they do, they often turn to trappers, some of whom now turn to Wyoming Wetlands Society for payment — and to get the beavers off their hands. NOTE: this article was originally published to JHNewsandGuide.com.

5,000 Years Later, Beavers Return to the High Plains

5,000 Years Later, Beavers Return to the High Plains

“The Brazos is the longest river in Texas. Beavers were always found downstream. As discussed below, they are now colonizing the upper Brazos where dams have created large bodies of permanent water. NOTE: this article was originally published to TexasMonthly.com on September 6, 2022. It was written by Peter

It Was War. Then, a Rancher’s Truce With Some Pesky Beavers Paid Off

Artificial Beaver Dams

It Was War. Then, a Rancher’s Truce With Some Pesky Beavers Paid Off

The article below has an excellent discussion of the growing recognition that beavers are an essential part of habitat restoration. Quoting one expert, “It may seem trite to say that beavers are a key part of a national climate action plan, but the reality is that they are a force

Relocated Beavers Helped Mitigate Some Effects of Climate Change

Relocated Beavers Helped Mitigate Some Effects of Climate Change

“As discussed in the article below, scientists have found that when beavers were reintroduced and built new dams, the volume of surface water — streams, ponds, wetlands — increased to about 20 times that of streams with no new beaver activity. Meanwhile below ground, groundwater more than doubled what was stored on

Beavers Are Heat Wave Heroes

Beavers Are Heat Wave Heroes

As explained below, beaver dams help cool the water — and the air. They also reduce wildfires. NOTE: this article was originally published to Vox’s Apple News channel on July 22, 2022. It was written by Benji Jones. Animals don’t have AC. But they have beavers. During an intense

How Do Beavers Build a Dam?

How Do Beavers Build a Dam?

Beavers build dams that are designed to endure bad weather and high waters using logs, branches and stones. Impoundments are crucial for the species as they provide ponds as protection against predators. This advantageous skill is passed on from generation to generation and the beavers of the wet grassland of

Beavers Rule the Roost at Crater Lake

Beavers Rule the Roost at Crater Lake

Whether we are talking about bears, bison or beavers, the best safety rule with wild animals is this: “Do not invade their space.” It is amazing how often the rule is violated. NOTE: this article was originally published to jhnewsandguide.com on July 15, 2020. It was written by Doreen

beavers_alaska_denali_national_park

Beavers Are Accelerating Climate Change in Alaska?

According to the article below, which repeats claims of CNN, beavers change climate. This is not correct. Global climate has been warming for at least 15,000 years. Because climate has warmed, the habitable area of North America has vastly expanded. Before this warming, the Laurentide Ice Sheet was almost

Artificial Beaver Dams – A Visual Tour of Triple Creek

Artificial Beaver Dams

Artificial Beaver Dams - A Visual Tour of Triple Creek

Triple Creek Restoration on Myers Creek, near Chesaw, Washington. The video producers report, “Mimicking beaver dams, we installed vertical wood posts as a foundation and then weaved together dogwood, willow, and maple to create artificial (analog) beaver dams. The purpose was to help raise an eroded stream bed and reconnect

"Invasion Biology"

Beavers, Rebooted

It is strange but true that as species disappear, the empty spaces they leave behind come to be accepted as ‘natural’. How many times during wildlife reintroductions has the objection been raised that deer, pronghorn, elk, sheep, bison, horses, bear, wolves, – and now beaver – no longer ‘belong’ in our wild

McIntire-Beaver-Dam-Grand-Teton-NP

"Invasion Biology"

How Beavers Build Dams

For 20-million years, beavers have been nature’s water engineers. In North America – before Europeans trapped them out – 400-million beavers impounded 50-million surface acres of water. Beaver eradication was a disaster for continental hydrology. Fortunately, they can be restored. Beavers can again work tirelessly, cheaply and effectively to maintain and

Book Review... "Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter"

"Invasion Biology"

Book Review... "Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter"

A reader remarks: “Ben has woven together a holistic picture about beavers, illustrating the remarkably diverse interactions between this species’ biology and the history of the North American landscape, both geologically and culturally.” NOTE: this book, Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter is available for

beaver_muskrat_water_swim

Partnering With Beaver: Nature's Hydrologists and Ecosystem Engineers

Utah State University researchers study beaver dams’ effects on habitat restoration and the possibility of utilizing beaver dams as an alternative to man-made dams. These practices will work in many parts of far-West Texas.

beavers_west_texas

Leave It to Beavers - The Atlantic

Quoting the authors below, “In the 1600s, as many as 400-million beavers were waddling about the continent. Just 6-million to 12-million remain today. You have to imagine that there was a beaver dam every half mile, on every stream, in every single watershed in North America.” Given that on most