BeaverCorps Program

Training Beaver Wetland Professionals

The Beaver Institute is proud to offer the first and only professional, non-lethal beaver management course. The online classes and field work are personally mentored by Beaver Institute President, Mike Callahan and other Beaver Institute instructors. All students learn the same successful, innovative beaver management techniques that he has successfully used since 1998 to resolve over 2,000 beaver-human conflicts, as well as low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) techniques to restore streams and beaver wetlands. Graduates are certified as Beaver Wetland Professionals and utilize their knowledge in a variety of settings.

We’re currently accepting new trainees on a rolling basis.

Training Where You Live

Our BeaverCorps Professional Training Program is designed to be done remotely without the need for expensive and time consuming travel to our location. You can learn where you live! The course is self-paced to fit your life and schedule.

Part 1 of the Training Program consists of online lessons and exams, takes 40 – 60 hours, and is generally completed in 6 weeks.
Part 2 of the Program consists of four project installations that you do while being mentored 1:1 by experienced Beaver Institute staff.
The entire training course typically takes 12 months to complete.

The Beaver Institute is proud to offer two BeaverCorps training options.

Business Track – The course materials in this training option are geared towards individuals interested in starting a beaver management business or incorporating beaver management into an existing business. Some key lesson materials include how to start a business and business marketing.

Nonbusiness Track – The course materials in this training option are geared for individuals who are interested in providing beaver management services, but not interested in starting a beaver management business. Some key lesson materials include public outreach, partnerships, and funding.

Part One: Online Lessons and Exams

Part One is a series of online lessons and exams. Each student will learn about beaver behavior and ecology, how to build and install successful water control devices to resolve beaver dam flooding problems, as well as basic LTPBR techniques to restore streams and beaver wetlands. The use of trapping, permitting requirements, how to start, market and run a professional beaver business are also covered.

Part Two: Real Life Projects

In Part Two of the program each trainee applies this knowledge to four real-life beaver projects. Each student plans and installs four water control devices or beaver dam analogs (BDA’s) for local clients, while receiving extensive 1:1 mentoring with Mike Callahan and other Beaver Institute instructors. By the end of the program each graduate has the basic skills required to begin to professionally manage human-beaver conflicts and install BDA’s. They will also gain knowledge of how to start their own businesses to do this work.

Part One: Online Lessons and Exams

Part One is a series of online lessons and exams. Each student will learn about beaver behavior and ecology, how to build and install successful water control devices to resolve beaver dam flooding problems, as well as basic LTPBR techniques to restore streams and beaver wetlands. The use of trapping, permitting requirements, funding, and partnerships are also covered.

Part Two: Real-Life Projects

In Part Two of the program each trainee applies this knowledge to four real-life beaver projects. Each student plans and installs four water control devices or LTPBR projects while receiving extensive 1:1 mentoring with Mike Callahan and other Beaver Institute instructors. By the end of the program each graduate has the basic skills required to begin to professionally manage human-beaver conflicts.

BeaverCorps members are geographically dispersed across North America, yet we have created a supportive professional community. Each BeaverCorps member has access to a free, online platform where graduates and trainees share ideas, ask questions, offer support, and learn from each others experiences. We also host and provide recordings of our monthly Zoom meetings where we discuss topics of interest, and learn from guest speakers.

Each BeaverCorps member has the option of promoting their work on our website so any landowner in their area with a beaver issue can easily find them and contact them for support. The Beaver Institute also offers its BeaverCorps members landowner assistance grants.

Tuition for the BeaverCorps Training Program is affordable, and financial assistance is available for those in need. Please contact Program Director Aaron Hall (aaron@beaverinstitute.org) for more information.

Announcement: Due to an exciting partnership BeaverCorps applicants located in California might be eligible for a full tuition scholarship, apply now while this opportunity is available.

BEAVERCORPS APPLICATION AND FORMS

BeaverCorps Business Track Training Syllabus

BeaverCorps Nonbusiness Track Training Syllabus

BeaverCorps Application

BeaverCorps Tuition Assistance Request

“The BeaverCorps training program has been a crucial part of my evolution as a restoration professional. Mike Callahan has done a great job of not only developing the program, but fostering a community of dedicated beaver believers. That connection with other non-lethal practitioners has definitely been the most meaningful aspect of the BeaverCorps program. The BeaverCorps introduced me to an entirely new dimension of beaver work.”

Nick Hagen, BeaverCorps Member

Watch These Videos

To determine if this physically demanding work is for you, we suggest you watch the following instructional videos.

“You may not resolve over 2,000 beaver-human conflicts like I have, but I can promise you we will give you the skills to do it.”

Michael W. Callahan, President / Founder

The total tuition for the BeaverCorps Training Program is $2,500.00 USD. The Beaver Institute is happy to offer a limited supply of BeaverCorps scholarships for individuals facing financial hardship. Due to the large influx of BeaverCorps applicants, the Beaver Institute will prioritize scholarship awards for individuals who are located in underserved areas and are ready to begin the training program within 30 days of acceptance of a scholarship award.

Applicants who accept a scholarship award but are unable to make their initial tuition payment within 30 days will forfeit their scholarship or must apply for a scholarship award extension before 30 days have passed. Scholarship award extensions are not guaranteed, and the award amount may be adjusted based on available funding at the time the extension is requested.

To apply for admission, please complete and submit the application below.

Thank you for considering joining our growing community of BeaverCorps professionals across North America doing valuable, necessary, and rewarding beaver wetland restoration work!