SARAH BATES , REGIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR SENIOR DIRECTOR, WESTERN - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Oct 12, 2023 291 likes •464 views

SARAH BATES , REGIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR SENIOR DIRECTOR, WESTERN WATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION An evolving story Step 1: Build support for beavers within NWF and affiliates Interactive advocacy, learning Addressing concerns

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SARAH BATES, REGIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR SENIOR DIRECTOR, WESTERN WATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

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An evolving story

Step 1: Build support for beavers within

NWF and affiliates

Interactive advocacy, learning
Addressing concerns
Addressing more concerns . . .

(pretty sure the concerns will continue)

Photo: Montana Natural Heritage Program

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Step 1: Prioritize beaver restoration within NWF’s strategic plan

Mission: Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world Strategic Priority: Protect, Connect, Restore Wildlife Habitat Water for Wildlife Goal: Protect and restore the natural function and quality of the nation’s waters, wetlands, floodplains, and riparian areas to sustain healthy fish and wildlife populations.

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NWF.ORG • 4

Strategies connecting beavers and riparian restoration

Advance headwaters protection and restoration in the West through engaging with public land managers, advocating for restoration

f montane meadows, restoring beavers, and
ther measures to restore vulnerable watersheds

and enhance groundwater recharge Support restoration of beavers to restore riparian areas and improve headwaters and streams in the West, particularly on public lands

Photo: Montana Natural Heritage Program

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Scaling up – What’s NWF’s vision?

Throughout the western U.S., restoration of our primary ecosystem engineer will support resilient watersheds and aquatic connectivity. Goals for land types: Wildland headwaters: Beaver populations replenished, thriving Multiple-use public lands: Beaver habitat connectivity incorporated into watershed management/planning Private lands: Beaver coexistence expanded; management linked to public lands

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NWF.ORG • 6

Montana: retreading old ground with new scientific support, new partners

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Keen interest – and persistent concerns

Impacts on fish passage, temps
Permits for work in streams
Restoration practice:
Protocols
Training
Monitoring
Research needs
Nuisance mitigation
State and federal policies (advocacy)

Photo: Alec Underwood, Montana Wildlife Federation

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NWF.ORG • 8

Engaging and informing beaver advocates

Public outreach:

Community events
Field trips
Social media/news stories
NWF’s national publications

Professional outreach:

Legal article on Forest Planning
Conference/workshop presentations
MT Beaver Working Group

newsletter

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NWF.ORG • 9

1948 NWF booklet

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NWF.ORG • 10

Recent NWF publications for kids, adults, professionals

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Building support through citizen science

Lolo National Forest Beaver Habitat Assessment

Photos courtesy Clark Fork Coalition

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Demonstrating benefits on the ground

Riparian Restoration Project Goals:

Restore degraded headwater streams using

beaver mimicry and other low-tech structures

Improve habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse
Learn from application of techniques in new

landscape

Build local capacity

Diverse partners, including MT Trappers Association

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NWF.ORG • 13

September project installations (and one existing dam) Photos by Amy Chadwick

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Conflict Mitigation Pilot Project (year 1)

Advisors: Beavers Northwest (on- site) Beaver Institute (online training and consultation)

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BATESS@NWF.ORG

How are we doing in Montana?

State wildlife agency convened “beaver summit” in 2019
New research to assess fish passage, hydrology
Proliferating BDAs
Much to be done: statewide priorities, translocation protocols,

conflict mitigation, etc.

Photo by Alec Underwood