Webinar Series Spring 2026 – Getting to Know Your Local Beavers

A three-part webinar series for restoration practitioners working in western, high-desert landscapes. The series offers field-tested guidance on beaver biology, assessing beaver activity, and using that information to support beaver occupancy and beaver-based restoration at scale. Learn directly from experienced field practitioners and beaver ecologists monitoring beavers across the West.

Session 1 - Beaver Basics: Biology, Life Cycle, and Habitat Needs
An applied introduction to beaver ecology focused on western landscapes. This session covers beaver life cycles, seasonal behavior, dispersal, forage needs, and what beavers need to persist across variable flow regimes and working lands. Guest presenter: Dr. Jordan Kennedy, The Beaver Institute
> Watch Recording

Session 2 - Assessing Beaver Occupancy and Habitat – Boots on Ground
Learn practical, noninvasive approaches to assessing beaver activity using standardized field observations and trail cameras. This session emphasizes choosing the right tools and assessment intensity based on your organization’s capacity, staffing, and budget.
Guest presenters: Alex Fortin, Natalie D’Souza - Beaver Ecology & Relocation Collaborative
> Watch Recording

Session 3 - Understanding the Data: From Site Observations to Riverscape Planning
Move from individual observations to riverscape and watershed-scale insights. This session focuses on interpreting occupancy data to identify where beaver presence is most likely to persist and where landscape investments can realistically support long-term success.
Guest presenters: Herb Winters, Roger Lathrop – Gilliam SWCD
> Watch Recording