Residents of Red Deer County, Mountain View County and Clearwater County are invited to learn about living with and managing one of Canada's best-known symbols – the beaver.
Red Deer County is co-hosting a workshop at the Kevisville Community Hall on May 4 from 1:30 to 7:00 p.m. The day will include a light supper along with a short visit to a nearby pond leveler (a pipe system to drain water from a dam).
“It's open to anybody in the county (and nearby counties) who's interested in beavers and the impact that we both have on each other,” said Aimee Delaney, conservation assistant for Red Deer County.
Participants will learn about the role and impact of beavers in watersheds, techniques and technology used to manage and co-exist with beavers, beaver management choices and how those choices influence the broader landscape, research and case studies from other parts of North America on beaver management and reintroduction, as well as other important information.
“I want people to (know) that we are able to live with them. We just need to properly understand how,” said Delaney. “By learning what the beavers are trying to accomplish and what we're trying to accomplish, and how those interact is a good way to start,” she added.
The workshop will provide discussion on the challenges, values and concerns over beavers and help answer questions people may have about the largest rodent found in North America today.
“We often get questions on once they come onto your property, what can (people) do to keep them at bay, or what kind of resources can they use to have them removed,” explained Delaney. “Also once they are on the property and they're starting to build their dams, how can you work with them rather than against them.”
Much of the area has been very dry over the past couple of years noted Delaney, adding that it has had a slight impact on beavers as well.
“Because it's been so dry the past couple of years, we haven't seen a huge issue with beavers,” she said, noting that just because it's dry doesn't mean you won't see busy beavers out this spring. “Their dams may not have such an effect on the environment or the area around because there isn't a lot of water to hold on land right now.”
Springtime is the time of year when beavers are most active said Delaney, noting that's when they build dams and search for a mate.
As the largest rodent in North America, beavers can reach a length of over one metre and can weigh up to 32 kilograms. The beaver is Canada's national symbol and has represented our country for more than 300 years.
“For the most part, beavers do have a positive impact on rivers and water systems,” she said. “They also affect biodiversity and they bring in those other species that wouldn't normally live in an area. That includes aquatic species, vegetation and the animal species that they provide homes for,” said Delaney.
“This workshop is really there to show that they may get in the way, but they're really just trying to co-exist with us.”
Participants are asked to register for the workshop by contacting Clearwater County Ag Services and Landcare at 403-845-4444, Mountain View County Ag Services at 403-335-3311 ext. 204, or Red Deer County Ag Services and Conservation at 403-350-2150.
A map to the Kevisville Hall is available upon request.
