Along the Cascade

We know wolves help game species thrive, as well as prevent game species from over-browsing young trees and shrubs beaver love, so beaver are booming, but... what so great about Beavers?

I've visited many beaver ponds in all their phases. Beavers are awesome!

And just a little historical note on the wolf wars and beavers ... when beaver became scarce due to pelt pilfering, many trappers made up for the loss by hunting wolves for bounties. Money played a huge role in the rapid extermination of wolves in America.

But.. back to beavers. Here's a short list of benefits from North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, and
College of Forest Resources

- Benefits of Active Beaver Ponds -

Improve downstream water quality
Provide watering holes for agricultural and wildlife needs

Supply important breeding areas for amphibians and fish

Provide diverse wetland habitats

Furnish feeding, brood rearing and resting areas for waterfowl

Support many reptile, bat, amphibian, fish and bird species by providing micro and macro food sources

- Benefits of Abandoned Beaver Ponds -

Furnish snags for cavity-nesters and insectivores

Fallen logs supply cover for reptiles and amphibians

Provide essential edges and forest openings

Supply diverse moist-soil habitats within bottomland forests

Create productive bottomland forests

Provide foraging and nesting areas for bats, songbirds, owls, and hawks