Take a glimpse into the world created by beavers

The American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is considered a keystone species due to its ecosystem engineering capabilities. It is well known that beavers create dams, however, fewer people understand the magnitude and cascading ecosystem effects involved in a well-established beaver complex. Beaver-created habitats provide resources that directly and indirectly affect many other species. The “Dam Cam” gives us a glimpse into a world created by beavers and home to many.

What is a keystone species?

What is a keystone species?

Any species whose presence and role within the ecosystem have a disproportionally high impact on other organisms relative to its population size. Keystone species are critical to the structure and functionality of an ecosystem and influence what other species comprise that system.

The "Dam Cam"

We are building awareness of the critical role beavers play in our ecosystems through film. Scientists have documented the importance of beavers and the habitat they create for decades, yet public awareness of the ecological benefits of beavers is still lacking. In collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and private partners, we documented and monitored wildlife usage of active beaver dams for over a year, sharing captured footage with the public and hoping the benefits of beavers will be absorbed and spread far and wide. We are now monitoring with private partners for another 12 months.

Dam Cam Footage

Forging Ahead

combating climate change

During this time of climate change awareness and mitigation, it is critical that we look for support from our natural world and shine a light on species that can help us combat the effects we are already experiencing today. Unfortunately, science alone is no longer effective at directing the measurable changes necessary, science now needs the support and voices of the public. Beavers and the wetlands they create can help us and many other species withstand the climate change effects we are already seeing, such as increased wildfires and reductions in late season water resources and streamflow. We simply need to keep beavers on the landscape and allow them to do what they do naturally.

We need your help to change this narrative now!

Unfortunately, it is still legal for beavers to be trapped and killed without limit in most of Wyoming.  There is a lack of tolerance for beavers on private lands and a deficiency in public and land manager awareness of effective coexistence methodologies for beavers. Our goal is to educate the public on the importance of beavers and encourage the public to spread this information to others, and advocate for their protection. In the wake of climate change, we need beavers on the landscape now, more than ever before.

For more information on Wyoming beavers

Beavers: Eco-engineers

For more information on nuisance beaver solutions

Learn more at the Beaver Institute
Learn more at the Methow Beaver Project
Learn more at The Fur-Bearers

Beaver Dam Cam Photos

Our “dam cams” are installed and we are monitoring wildlife usage of active beaver dams. Check back regularly for new photos and footage.