Exploring Beaver Habitat

Beavers are fascinating creatures that play an important conservation role in creating, repairing, and maintaining wetland habitats. Acting as “ecosystem engineers”, they chew down trees to build dams and lodges. These dams slow rushing water, reduce flooding, mitigate droughts, and create deep ponds that provide safety for the beavers and habitat for many other species. While they help protect soil by slowing water flow, beavers are sometimes considered a nuisance in areas where tree establishment is the priority, as they gnaw on and fell trees. However, their work also creates wetlands, increases biodiversity, and helps filter water. Join us for a special field day as we walk the land of Driftless Dane Farm. Owner and Operator JBC Heffernan will take us on a tour of the beaver habitat on her property. Next, we'll hear from Emily Fairfax, an expert on beavers and their habitats. Fairfax is Assistant Professor of Geography at University of Minnesota specializing in ecohydrology, and an affiliate faculty member at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. Fairfax uses a combination of remote sensing, modeling, and field work to understand how beaver ecosystem engineering can create drought and fire-resistant patches in the landscape under a changing climate. Her research has been featured in National Geographic, BBC, NPR, PBS, Scientific American, the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times, amongst others. Fairfax teaches courses in data visualization, environmental data analysis, hydrology, and geomorphology. When Fairfax says she can talk about beavers all day, she’s not kidding! The day will include a learning circle and community potluck.

To help further support the cost of this and other events, please give HERE. Your contribution keeps WiWiC events accessible for all women who want to learn how to heal and protect the land. This event is brought to you by Wisconsin Women in Conservation, a project of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, in partnership with the Sauk County Conservation Department. We are grateful to the Food, Faith and Farming Network and the Sally Mead Hands Foundation for their generous support for this event.

About Wisconsin Women in Conservation

WiWiC is a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with state and federal conservation agencies, local organizations, and other farm advocacy groups. WiWiC brings together Wisconsin's women landowners, farmers, farm workers, urban growers, and conservation professionals to connect and share about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

MFAI is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, The Institute supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives. We believe agriculture can sustain both human and ecosystem health, while advancing food security, independence, and justice. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events.

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