Beaver Restoration by Federal Agencies
Held Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET
INTRODUCTION
- Ian Grosfelt, National Association of Wetland Managers [Presentation - PDF]
PRESENTERS
- Brian Bangs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [Presentation - PDF]
- Ashley Hom, U.S. Forest Service [Presentation - PDF]
- Ethan Ellsworth, Bureau of Land Management [Presentation - PDF]
BIOS
Ashley Hom is a Tribal and Indigenous Integrator with the U.S. Forest Service. She bridges Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship and ensures tribal perspectives are integrated into national partnerships while facilitating connections between federal agencies and tribal nations. Ashley recently aided in establishing the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) to empower Indigenous youth and preserve traditional knowledge. Before her current role, Ashley spent over a decade as a Forest Service hydrologist, implementing large-scale restoration projects like the beaver-based efforts in Colorado’s Trail Creek. With this background in ecological restoration and scientific expertise combined with deep respect for Indigenous wisdom, her mission is to create an inclusive, holistic approach to land stewardship that honors the interconnectedness of all life and amplifies the invaluable insights of Indigenous communities.
Ethan Ellsworth is the Program Lead for BLM Idaho's Aquatic Resources and Threatened and Endangered Species Programs. Stream restoration is a major focus of Ethan's job, and working with partners to reintroduce beaver to degraded watersheds is particularly rewarding. Ethan grew up in Wisconsin where he spent as much time as possible on the water. He has a B.S. in Biology Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a M.S. in Raptor Biology from Boise State, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Resources from University of Idaho.
Navigating the Permitting and Regulatory Environment of Beaver-Related Projects: A Panel Discussion
Held Wednesday, March 13, 2024 - 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. EDT
INTRODUCTION
- Ian Grosfelt, National Association of Wetland Managers [Presentation - PDF]
PANELISTS:
- Adam Burnett, The Beaver Institute
- Alexa Whipple, Methow Beaver Project
- Rob Walton, The Beaver Institute
- Mike Callahan, The Beaver Institute
BIOS
Adam Burnett serves as the executive director of the Beaver Institute after a career of building and running non-profits in the performing arts and environmental conservation. He received his BA from the University of Kansas in Theatre and spent a dozen years as the co-founder and artistic director of Buran Theatre. Stewarding intentional communities, reaching consensus, and manifesting opportunities for plurality are traits he relies upon in leading Beaver Institute.
Alexa Whipple is a restoration ecologist, a collaborator, and the Project Director for the Methow Beaver Project. She works for sustainability in all practices and effective, process-based solutions to challenging environmental conditions. She has called the Methow and Okanogan River watersheds of WA State home for the last 23 years but has worked across the western US studying songbirds, carnivores, plant communities, agricultural practices that sustain habitat and wildlife, and post-wildfire recovery of western riverscapes. Alexa completed her BS in Wildlife Biology at Virginia Tech and MS in Restoration Ecology at Eastern Washington University where she focused on beaver ecology and beaver mediated restoration of legacy degraded and wildfire impacted streams across western NA.
Rob Walton currently serves as the co-chair of the Beaver Institute’s Policy/ Legal National Working Group. He is retired from NOAA’s fisheries service where he focused on salmon recovery. Rob continues to work on the recovery of ESA-listed salmon species through restoration and protection of habitat- especially beaver modified habitat.
Mike Callahan began his beaver management work in 1998, started his Massachusetts-based business Beaver Solutions LLC in 2000 and has personally resolved over 2,000 beaver-related flooding problems using innovative water control devices. To share his vast experience and train others across North America and beyond he founded the nonprofit Beaver Institute in 2017 and developed its BeaverCorps Program that trains and certifies Beaver Wetland Professionals.
Mike shared his wealth of knowledge on various beaver management techniques, some examples of effective permitting processes, as well as examples of the often confusing, conflicting and counter-productive permitting processes that he and others across North America encounter on a regular basis.
Part 1: Introduction: Ian Grosfelt, National Association of Wetland Managers; Panelists: Adam Burnett, The Beaver Institute; Mike Callahan, The Beaver Institute; Rob Walton, The Beaver Institute; and Alexa Whipple, Methow Beaver Project;
Part 2: Panelists: Mike Callahan, The Beaver Institute; Rob Walton, The Beaver Institute; and Adam Burnett, The Beaver Institute
Part 3: Panelists: Mike Callahan, The Beaver Institute; Rob Walton, The Beaver Institute; and Adam Burnett, The Beaver Institute; and Alexa Whipple, Methow Beaver Project
Questions & Answers
