Wetland Architects

March 17, 2025

When we bought the farm we knew our creek had beaver activity. Last summer, Hurricane Beryl destroyed their dam and left the lodge high and dry. Undeterred, the beavers relocated several hundred yards downstream and built a new home.

Beavers engineer their ecosystems and are considered keystone species because they play a vital role in their environment. As a professor of ecology, I taught my students about keystone species but it was not until we were able to observe beavers on a regular basis that we truly grasped the concept.

Within a few weeks after the hurricane, the beavers had built a new dam. The creek above the dam expanded into a pool, attracting larger fish we did not even know existed. In the fall, trail cameras facing their dam captured a family of minks or otters, but our creek seems too small for otters. During the winter, bald eagles noticed the pool and sat in the conifers around its edge.

The beavers not only made a home for themselves, but for many other animals that bring joy to our farm.

Last week: Winter Leaving the farm

Next week:  Pigs on the move

Fun fact:  Let us know what animal you think visited the beavers in our trail camera picture.