Anne Booth

After centuries of killing and trapping beavers we now know better. The work beavers do is in fact vital to healthy ecosystems. Beavers create wetlands that improve water quality, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and provide habitat for countless species of birds, fish, amphibian, and mammals. For instance, beavers in Utah and other states have been enlisted in an effort to restore degraded streams or to create wetlands in dry areas where water is needed to, among other things. fight wildfires. Even to create a trout pond for fishermen. In some places people have imitated the work of beavers to create needed wetlands. When necessary so-called "beaver deceivers" can be used to discourage beavers' damming without harming the beavers.