Climate change has begun to make its presence known on the Central Coast in the form of raging wildfires, catastrophic flooding, and extended droughts. However, as we face these challenges, we may find an ally in the North American beaver, Castor canadensis. Beavers were once found across the California landscape before their population was decimated by the fur trade in the 1800s. In losing this keystone species, we lost an ecosystem engineer that transforms arid and barren landscapes into lush wetland ecosystems, which can protect both natural and human environments from the damaging effects of climate change.
The secret to their success is their beaver dams. These dams back up water to create deep pools and, with canals spread and irrigate laterally across a landscape, encouraging the growth of rich riparian ecosystems. Research done by beaver expert Dr. Emily Fairfax has shown that these beaver-created ecosystems act as fire breaks that slow down and sometimes contain wildfires, while also offering refugia for wildlife during even the worst wildfires. The dams themselves buffer against high flows and debris flows during heavy rains. In addition to protecting from wildfires and floods, beaver dams also alleviate the severity of drought conditions by doing what they do best: slowing down and collecting water. Doing so promotes groundwater recharge and slows the release of surface water. Most importantly, these wetland environments further assist climate resilience by sequestering excess carbon in the deep soil beds that accumulate around the dams.
Our team of exceptional presenters will be led by Audrey Taub, a long-time collaborator and research partner to Dr. Emily Fairfax, giving an overview of the benefits of restoring beavers and review the methodologies being implemented across the state to do so, such as those being used in Governor Newsom’s recently approved Beaver Restoration program. Other team members include Molly Alves, Cooper Lienhart, & Dave Fortson, bios provided below.
Speakers
Dr. Emily Fairfax, Ecohydrologist, University of Minnesota; preeminent researcher on beavers & wildfires
Dr. Emily Fairfax is an ecohydrologist, beaver researcher, and assistant professor of geography at the University of Minnesota. Formerly an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Resource Management at California State University Channel Islands, and holds an Adjunct Assistant Professor position in the Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University. Dr. Fairfax double majored in Chemistry and Physics as an undergraduate at Carleton College, later earning a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder. Fairfax uses a combination of remote sensing and field work to research how beaver activity can create drought and fire-resistant patches in the landscape under a changing climate.
Molly Alves, Wildlife Biologist, Calif Dept of Fish & Wildlife/Beaver Restoration Program Supervisor.
Molly Alves is the Beaver Restoration Program Supervisor for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. She came to this role in 2024 from the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, where she managed the Tulalip Beaver Project. She has worked in beaver management, translocation, funding, and policy for over a decade, translocating over 400 beavers, amending state policies for better beaver management, and coordinating the implementation of beaver coexistence. She is currently working to expand the CA Beaver Restoration Program statewide and produce the first California Beaver Management and Restoration.
Cooper Lienhart, President & founder of Nature’s Engineers, a process-based restoration company.
Cooper Lienhart graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a BS in Environmental Management & Protection and a minor in Indigenous Studies. Through his studies at Cal Poly and abroad in Iceland and Greenland he learned that natural ecosystems can be our greatest ally when combating climate change, especially wetlands, considered one of the most effective carbon sinks. Following graduation, he enrolled in The Beaver Institute, learning beaver coexistence techniques, and with three organizations in Northern California, has trained in building "Beaver Analog Dams", structures that encourage beavers to start building dams in advantageous locations. Lienhart has worked with the Tulalip tribe in Washington State, learning beaver relocation techniques. Lienhart became an active team member and educator with the SLO Beaver Brigade and has recently started his own company Nature’s Engineers, located in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Dave Fortson, founder of Regen Network Development PBC
Dave Fortson is the co-founder and served as CEO of LOACOM, a local Santa Barbara mission-driven communications and strategy firm, for over a decade, working with organizations like 1% for the Planet, All Good Products, Regen Network, and the Regenerative Organic Alliance. In that capacity, Dave was responsible for impact and growth strategies, public awareness campaigns, and messaging. In 2024, Dave came on as Chief Growth Officer of Regen Network Development (RND) Public Benefit Corporation. RND develops software products and services for the development and management of ecological assets and impact claims. As CGO, Dave leads sales, marketing, and partnership development and provides direct support for the Registry Program and product development teams. Regen Network is a global leader in the development of biodiversity assets, working closely with land stewards and indigenous communities.