Idaho Beaver Outreach Plan
Additional Funding Sources
The research described was supported by Boise State University.
Presentation Date
7-2020
Abstract
Beavers have always played an essential role in the balances of environmental conservation and wildlife management. Also known as Castor canadensis, Beavers help grow vegetation in river valleys that are prone to fires, provide natural habitats for other organisms, and most importantly regulate changes and seasonal fluctuations in rivers and streams (Utz, 2020). They are a keystone species that have the ability to manage and conserve wilderness areas (Goldfarb & Flores, 2018). The problem with beavers is that their image is controversial, especially in Idaho. The state of Idaho was built on hunting and trapping beavers, as well as agriculture. Throughout history to the present, beavers have been represented as a nuisance and a loss of income to farming communities, as well as, an opportunity for fur markets in the past (Goldfarb & Flores, 2018). The goal of this research is to understand what needs to be included in an educational outreach campaign that seeks to promote beaver awareness throughout Idaho and in some of the most controversial areas. Neighboring states, such as Oregon and Washington have found a way to idolize the beaver and use it as a source of climate resistance and fire regulation. How can Idaho mimic successful outreach and public perceptions of beavers in other states to promote beaver conservation and climate change resistant strategies? This study found that outreach, education, and other motives of awareness will be crucial in identifying problems and promoting solutions to the public regarding beaver conservation. The methods used to conduct this effort included: examining peer reviewed studies completed in various states and retrieving data on beaver harvests in each state. This research has been completed to set a foundation to outline how to handle and promote beavers in Idaho. As climate change continues to alter the world, Beavers should play a role as an environmental tool in Idaho.
Idaho Beaver Outreach Plan
Beavers have always played an essential role in the balances of environmental conservation and wildlife management. Also known as Castor canadensis, Beavers help grow vegetation in river valleys that are prone to fires, provide natural habitats for other organisms, and most importantly regulate changes and seasonal fluctuations in rivers and streams (Utz, 2020). They are a keystone species that have the ability to manage and conserve wilderness areas (Goldfarb & Flores, 2018). The problem with beavers is that their image is controversial, especially in Idaho. The state of Idaho was built on hunting and trapping beavers, as well as agriculture. Throughout history to the present, beavers have been represented as a nuisance and a loss of income to farming communities, as well as, an opportunity for fur markets in the past (Goldfarb & Flores, 2018). The goal of this research is to understand what needs to be included in an educational outreach campaign that seeks to promote beaver awareness throughout Idaho and in some of the most controversial areas. Neighboring states, such as Oregon and Washington have found a way to idolize the beaver and use it as a source of climate resistance and fire regulation. How can Idaho mimic successful outreach and public perceptions of beavers in other states to promote beaver conservation and climate change resistant strategies? This study found that outreach, education, and other motives of awareness will be crucial in identifying problems and promoting solutions to the public regarding beaver conservation. The methods used to conduct this effort included: examining peer reviewed studies completed in various states and retrieving data on beaver harvests in each state. This research has been completed to set a foundation to outline how to handle and promote beavers in Idaho. As climate change continues to alter the world, Beavers should play a role as an environmental tool in Idaho.