WATS 6860

Spring Semester 2017

Slides by Wheaton et al. (2009-2016) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

A. INTRODUCTION / OVERVIEW

I. Welcome & Objectives

II. Introduction to Instruction Team

III. Introduction to Workshop Participants

IV. Overview of Syllabus

V. Discussion of Beaver in Restoration, Conservation and Management

HERE TO LEARN ABOUT BEAVER…

• This is a course about

• We are here to learn about an old (1930’s) conservation strategy & some new restoration strategies using beaver

• To do this, we need to

– Know a bit about beaver biology/ecology

– Focus on their ingenuity as ecosystem engineers (dam building)

– Understand where in the landscape such strategies makes sense

From http://thestickytongue.org/

From http://eol.org/data_objects/5898738

THE HOPE IS…

• This undiscriminating rodent who once shaped so much of North America can

– Help us restore many of our degraded streams & rivers for cheaper

– Promote much more dynamic behavior in streams & rivers that will lead to healthier ecosystems and higher rates of biodiversity

– Help buffer the impacts of climate change

Sticker available from: http://www.redbubble.com/shop/beaver+stickers

From: http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/PageServer?pagename=priorities_wild_places_jemez_mountains_beavers

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT…

• The ecosystem engineer is very experienced

• Most the species we care about have co-evolved with this engineer

• The science is conceptually solid… but fairly qualitative

• Precautionary Principle?

• The cost is one of the most compelling arguments from a restoration perspective

© Cadel Wheaton

HOWEVER, BEAVER ENTHUSIASM IS

• Surprisingly prevalent

• Sometimes unnecessarily divisive

• Potentially dangerous

• And worse of all, might prevent us from effectively leveraging beaver in the many places they make sense

• Expectation management is crucial

COURSE WEBSITE

• Visit http://beaver.joewheaton.org

Find:

• Slides

• Links/Videos

• Literature

• Workshop Topics

– Lecture Slides

– Relevant Literature

• Dynamic Content

– Updated semi-regularly

A. INTRODUCTION / OVERVIEW

I. Welcome & Objectives

II. Introduction to Instruction Team

III. Introduction to Workshop Participants

IV. Overview of Syllabus

V. Discussion of Beaver in Restoration, Conservation and Management

INSTRUCTION TEAM

Nick Bouwes

Wally MacfarlaneJoe

Wheaton

For more information, visit: http://beaver.joewheaton.org

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Chris Jordan (NOAA)

• Elijah Portugal (USU/ETAL)

• Jordan Gilbert (USU/ETAL)

• Jordan Gilbert (USU/ETAL)

• Michael Pollock (NOAA)

• Carol Volk (SFR)

• Nick Weber (ELR/Anabranch)

• Nate Hough-Snee (USU/ETAL)

• Martha Jensen (USU/ETAL)

• Kenny DeMeurichy (USU/ETAL)

• Ian Tottenahm (ODFW)

• Brett Roper (USFS/USU)

• Scott Shahverdian (USU/Anabranch)

• Reid Camp (ELR/Anabranch)

• Steve Bennett (USU/Anabranch)

• John Shivik (USFS/UDWR)

• Kent Sorenson (UDWR)

• Ryan Lokteff (USU/ETAL)

• CHaMP Field Crews

• Tim Beechie (NOAA)

• Mary O’Brien (GCT)

• Milada Majerova (USU)

• Beth Nielson (USU)

• And many others…

Countless Field Crews & Collaborators

A. INTRODUCTION / OVERVIEW

I. Welcome & Objectives

II. Introduction to Instruction Team

III.Introduction to Workshop Participants

IV. Overview of Syllabus

V. Discussion of Beaver in Restoration, Conservation and Management

INTRODUCE YOURSELF

• Name

• Where you are from

• Grad/Undergrad

• What you study

• Experience w/ Restoration

• What you Call Yourself

• Why you’re here

A. INTRODUCTION / OVERVIEW

I. Welcome & Objectives

II. Introduction to Instruction Team

III. Introduction to Workshop Participants

IV.Overview of Syllabus

V. Discussion of Beaver in Restoration, Conservation and Management

A. INTRODUCTION / OVERVIEW

I. Welcome & Objectives

II. Introduction to Instruction Team

III. Introduction to Workshop Participants

IV. Overview of Syllabus

V. Discussion of Beaver in Restoration, Conservation and Management

https://vimeo.com/140201129