“Eager – The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter”, by Ben Goldfarb, 2018. “Eager” is a wonderfully written and entertaining book that blends of in-depth knowledge of beavers and their environmental importance, with many stories about “Beaver Believers” who are committed to promoting beaver coexistence.

“At Home with the Beaver: The Story of a Keystone Species”, by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, 2019. This book for young readers, filled with beautiful photographs by Michael Runtz, explores the great variety of living things inhabiting, and dependent on beaver ponds.

“Saving the Dammed – Why We Need Beaver-Modified Ecosystems”, by Ellen Wohl, 2019. “Saving the Dammed” is an incredibly researched book that analyzes the effect that beavers and the absence of beavers has on stream ecosystems in general, while focusing on the month by month changes in one particular beaver meadow in Colorado.

“The Beaver Manifesto”, by Dr. Glynnis Hood, 2011
Dr. Hood has spent many years scientifically studying beavers and their ability to protect the landscape from climate change and drought. A very interesting and educational read.

“The Beaver, Natural History of a Wetlands Engineer”, by Dietland Muller-Schwarze and Lixing Sun, 2003.
An extremely well researched and documented book regarding beavers and their importance.

“Once they Were Hats” In Search of the Mighty Beaver, by Frances Backhouse, 2016. The history of beavers, their exploitation and comeback by a passionate beaver advocate.

“Beavers by the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska”, by Robert Armstrong and Mary Willson, 2009.
Beautiful photography taken by the author, and an excellent book for novices to learn all about beavers and their beneficial effects.

“Fur, Fortune and Empire: The Epic Story of the Fur Trade in America”, by Eric Jay Dolin, 2010. The history how commercial beaver trapping led to exploration, exploitation and the settlement of North America.

“The American Beaver: A Classic of Natural History and Ecology”, by Lewis Morgan, 1868.
Rare landmark study (1868) offers a unique historical perspective on fascinating rodent: anatomy and characteristics, habitat, dams, ledges and burrows, food, trapping methods, animal psychology, much more.

“Lily Pond: Four Years with a Family of Beavers”, by Hope Ryden.
A fascinating book of beaver observations from an author who truly appreciates beavers. 1989.

“Where Waters Run Beavers”, by Paul Strong.
Abundant color photography nicely complements the text describing the natural history and behavior of beavers. 1997.

“Beaversprite: My Years Building an Animal Sanctuary”, by Dorothy Richards.
A classic book about beavers which gives many insights into beaver behavior, and how passionate individuals can make a difference. 1983.

“Paddy: A Naturalist’s Story of an Orphaned Beaver”, by R. D. Lawrence
An interesting and enjoyable story about raising an orphaned beaver by a man with a wealth of outdoor knowledge and experience. 1977.

“Beavers For Kids”, by Patricia Corrigan.
As the title describes, a delightful book to teach children about beavers.

“My Beaver Colony” by Lars Wilsson.
The story of a professor cared for reintroduced beavers in Sweden to learn how to better protect them, and to discern what behaviors are learned versus innate. 1968.

Wetland Books

“In Search of Swampland – A Wetland Sourcebook and Field Guide” by Ralph Tiner
A good reader about hydrology and various types of wetlands, as well as a field guide to identifying wetland plants and animals. 1998.

“Discovering The Unknown Landscape – A History of America’s Wetlands” by Ann Vileisis.
An excellent historical text of our nation’s wetlands and how we got to where we are today.1997.

“Wetlands: The Web of Life” by Paul Rezendes and Paulette Roy.
Spectacular wetland photography and descriptive text combine to instill in the reader a sense of the ecological and spiritual importance of wetlands. 1996.

“Wildstream: A Natural History of the Free Flowing River” by Thomas Waters.
This 556 page book by offers easy to read, in-depth explanations of stream ecology. 2000.

America’s Wetlands: Our vital link between land and water. Available on the Internet at www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/vital/toc.html.

Our National Wetland Heritage: A Protecttion Guide, Jon Kusler and Teresa Opheim. Available from the Association of State Wetland Managers. Call (518) 872-1804 or visit www.aswm.org.

Wetlands, 3^rd edition, William J. Mitsch and James G. Gosselink. Available from the Association of State Wetland Managers. Call (518) 1804 or visit www.aswm.org.

History of wetlands in the Conterminous United States: National Water Summary on Wetland Recourses, U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 2425. Available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at wetlands.fws.gov/bha or from the U.S. Geological Survey at water.usga.gov/nwsum/WSP2425/history.html.

National Wetlands Status and Trends and Study and Report for the Year 2000. Available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at wetlands.fws.gov/bha.

Recognizing Wetlands. Available from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at www.wes.army.mil/el/wetlands.

Other Recommended Websites

Home Science: Backyard Conservation: This website helps cultivate young people’s interest in nature and science by promoting real conservation actions they can do in their own backyard. Our thanks to the students at www.olsca.org for this suggestion.

Beaver Institute, Inc.

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