Leave it To Beaver? Beaver-Based Considerations for Restoration Workshop

When:

March 5th | 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (8-hour Lecture/Lab with 30 min. lunch)

*Alternate adverse weather date: TBD. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the field surveying portion of class may need to be rescheduled.

Locations:

Morning Lecture: Lakeside Hall at Environmental Learning Center, Clackamas Community College, Oregon City Campus, 19600 Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, OR 97045

Afternoon Field Sites: (TBD) Transportation Provided.

Professional Credit:

Clackamas Community College, .8 CEU, Award of Completion will be provided.

Workshop Description:

1-Day lecture/field experience

Are you interested in learning more about beaver ecology and behavior? Are you planning and designing beaver-related restoration projects to improve habitat for native fish, with the hope of naturally recruiting beaver to your project area? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this workshop is for you. In this workshop, we’re inviting experienced wildlife biologists and practitioners to share their guidance on the opportunities and challenges of advancing beaver habitat and beaver-modified landscape restoration in Oregon. Attendees will learn about Beaver Ecology and Behavior 101, Oregon’s priorities and resources for beaver-modified landscape restoration, lessons from the field on natural beaver recruitment, and recommendations for pragmatic restoration outcomes in terms of habitat for beaver and by beaver, including considerations for Oregon’s species of greatest conservation need (Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan Species) that may co-occur with beaver.

Instructors:

Adrienne Averett, Interdivisional Beaver Coordinator, ODFW

Susan Barnes, Regional Wildlife Conservation Biologist, ODFW

Conrad Ely, North Coast Beaver Conservation Biologist, ODFW

Samantha Fino, Carnivore-Furbearer Coordinator, ODFW

Noa Meiri, Mid-Coast Beaver Conservation Biologist, ODFW

Steve Niemela, North Willamette Watershed District Manager, ODFW

Reese Mercer, founder Western Beavers Cooperative; Beaver Corps Wetlands Professional; Board Director of the Beaver Institute; founder of the Beaver Works program

Vanessa Petro, Lead Wildlife Biologist, ODF; Lead author of the American Beaver Activity Survey Protocol for the Pacific Northwest (OSU 2020)

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this workshop, students should be able to:

· incorporate beaver ecology, biology, and best practices in habitat restoration planning

· identify non-damming and damming beaver activity in the field

· use Oregon’s priorities and resources for beaver-modified landscape restoration

· develop restoration plans that account for beaver and Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan Species

Major Topics:

· Beaver ecology and behavior

· Beaver sign and surveying

· Beaver recruitment and best practices in restoration

· State of Oregon beaver priorities, policies, and resources

· Opportunities and challenges for advancing habitat for beaver

· Restoration considerations for Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan Species

Please contact bethany.wray@clackamas.edu if the cancellation is due to illness or family emergency.

(Photos by ODFW)