Beaver 2022 rewild

Ecologists propose beaver rescue plan that will help 're-wild' the American West

Beaver 2022 hero

Beavers are "climate-solving heroes"

Beaver 2021 architect

The beaver is an architect

Beaver 2021 restore

Beavers are our partners in salmon restoration

Beaver 2020 grant

Cowlitz tribe recieves Tribal Wildlife Grant

Beaver 2020 riparian

Beaver-dammed riparian corridors stay green during wildfire throughout the western United States

Beaver 2018 restoration

Beaver restoration in Methow Valley

Beaver 2014 demandgrowing

Demand for beavers growing rapidly

hist-5501-photo-Parachuting Beavers into Idaho, Washington Post

Parachuting beavers into Idaho

Beaver 1920 return

The return of the beaver

Beaver 1900 laceyact

Lacey Act enacted

hist-5499-photo-Approximately 100,000 Beavers Left, Mostly in Canada

Approximately 100,000 beavers left, mostly in Canada

hist-5497-photo-The Destruction of the Beaver, Horace T. Martin

The destruction of the beaver

hist-5496-photo-Hudson’s Bay Company Ships 3 Million Pelts

Hudson’s Bay Company ships 3 million pelts

hist-5495-photo-Hunting No Longer Profitable, William Gordon

Hunting no longer profitable

hist-5494-photo-Beavers Occupied All the Waters, David Thompson

Beavers occupied all the waters

hist-5469-photo-Thousands of Beavers Annually Killed, Adrian van der Donck

Thousands of beavers annually killed

Beaver prehistory legend

How the beaver got his tail, Objiwe legend

Beavers, American Beaver

Habitat loss and degradation

Development and increasing demands for water have resulted in habitat destruction of the riparian ecosystems that the beaver makes its home. Water storage, diversion, and channelization projects disrupt the beaver’s habitats by impacting stream flow and causing loss of vegetation. Livestock grazing is another cause of habitat degradation in riparian corridors. 

Human-wildlife conflict

Beavers are still commonly killed, and their habitats destroyed in areas where dam-building and tree-felling encroach onto human activity through vegetation damage and flooding. Traps often used to kill beavers are incredibly inhumane, depriving them of oxygen. The installation of water flow devices and other humane solutions can be implemented to allow beavers to continue to thrive while safely managing these issues. 

Most Pressing Issues

The Fur-Bearers

The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals works to end the commercial fur trade and promote coexistence with wildlife.

National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation's mission is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future. For over 80 years, the National Wildlife Federation has been a leader in conservation and environmental education, shaping the future of stewardship for the Earth in the United States.

Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. They protect and restore imperiled species throughout North America by transforming policies and institutions and by promoting innovative solutions, and speak with one voice informed by scientific, legal and policy expertise, hands-on wildlife management experience and effective advocacy.

How You Can Help

American Beaver