Join Spencer Johnson (UAA Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve) and Nicole Schmitt (Alaska Wildlife Alliance) to learn more about our exciting research project in southern Kenai Peninsula, featuring beavers!

290,000 acres of peatlands on the Kenai Peninsula are at risk of drying out, increasing fire risk and reducing habitat for salmon and moose. Beavers may be a nature-based solution to peatland drying. Beaver dams retain more water on the landscape, recharge groundwater, and often create excellent rearing habitat for juvenile Coho salmon. They also create wetlands, which help mitigate the risk of large-scale wildfires.

However, beavers populations on the Kenai Peninsula have sharply declined—some river systems with high beaver abundance now have none. If beavers could be restored to their range, they may help “resist” climate change through their inherent wetland engineering.

At this presentation, you’ll learn about the research we’ve been conducting that seeks to understand the impact of beavers and beaver-inspired infrastructure on Kenai Peninsula habitats.

When: October 15 at 7 PM AKST

Where: on Zoom!

Meeting ID: 860 7156 0933

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86071560933

Can’t make the presentation but want to learn more about Kenai beavers? Head to this page!

Thanks to NatHab for generously sponsoring our Wildlife Wednesdays this season!