Environmental Engineering 101

Beavers alter their environment by building dams, lodges and canals.

They build their dams higher than water level, which causes water to rise and form ponds. The still, deep ponds provide safety from predators and they make it easier for Beavers to transport and store food and building materials for their lodges. To prepare for winter, Beavers busily cut down trees and anchor food supplies of sticks and logs underwater where they will be accessible under the winter ice.

Beavers are often in conflict with people because Beavers eat vegetation that people value, and they flood places where people live. We spend large amounts of time, effort and money trying to outwit Beavers. We destroy their dams and change the environment to meet our needs. We attempt to control Beavers by shooting and trapping them.

We need to remember that we modify our environment more than any other species – even compared to Beavers! Unfortunately, humans have more devastating effects on biodiversity than any other species.