Protecting Beaver Habitat and Pond Ecosystem!
I have volunteered at a nature preserve for two summers, helping to lead nature camps for children and have seen beavers in the ponds surrounding the park. I had no idea, however, that beavers were a problem at the park. Beavers dam ponds to create a hospitable environment for themselves. The problem with these dams is that they can negatively affect the water level of the pond and the surrounding ecosystem. When I was given a chance to help solve this problem, I decided now was my time.
My project was in a pond within a nature preserve. It had a three part design. The first part was known as the “Beaver Deceiver,” which is a triangular fence that blocks a beaver from damming a culvert, restricting the flow of water. The second part of my project was called the “Castor Mastor,” which uses a tube to allow water to pass through a beaver's dam without being blocked. Finally, the third part of the project involved wrapping trees with wire to prevent beaver damage to the trees.
My project benefitted the animals of the park, specifically the beavers. My solutions to beaver damage maintained the water level in the pond, allowing the ecosystem to remain stable. My project was a kinder approach to dealing with problems beavers cause. Before my project, rangers would have to trap beavers to prevent their dams.
I learned about leadership and the importance of humans relationship to animals. I also learned about the importance of nature in our community and how we can work together to protect it.
