The Methow-Okanogan Beaver Project team with carved panels for the NBWGs created by Cal Waichler.

Over the last three years the National Beaver Working Groups (NBWG) have provided a virtual space for knowledge and resource-sharing, community building, inspiration, and activity. Facilitated by Beaver Institute, chaired by a cadre of committed volunteers, and with a membership of over 250 individuals across the continent and globe, the NBWGs have been a critical channel and tool for many. 

Since BeaverCON last fall, Beaver Institute has undergone a review of our programs, priorities and capacities. As a very small but mighty organization with ambitious goals and visions, we must remain nimble and adapt to the landscape with sustainability at the forefront.

In the coming months, the NBWGs will sunset, taking all we’ve learned and accomplished to inform a functioning knowledge and resource-sharing platform under the auspices of the North American Beaver Knowledge Network (NABKN), bridging science-based beaver management and restoration to policy and permitting (launching late 2025).

This is not an ending but rather a new beginning!

What does this mean? And what are our next steps?

• The Beaver Policy & Management Working Group will hold a final meeting on Monday, March 10 at 9am PT / 12pm ET, forum-style, soliciting feedback on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what the needs are moving forward. A bimonthly Policy & Management webinar will emerge under the NABKN later this year, serving as a virtual space to share updates and presentations, as well debates, panels, and forums on relevant topics and activities.

• The Beaver Science & Research Working Group will continue to host their Beaver Science Speaker Series through the spring on the second Thursday of the month at 11am PT / 2pm ET. This series will return as a program of the NABKN later this year.

• The Beaver Education & Communications Working Group and the Beaver Funding Working Group will sunset entirely, however, their aims and goals will be carried forward in Beaver Institute’s partnerships, programs and collaborations. The Beaver Educator Resource Library (BERL) will continue to be co-hosted by the Human-Beaver Coexistence Fund as a living, breathing document. Additionally, with increased capacity and support, we intend to revive our Beavers and… webinar series later this year.

• We will continue to form Disappearing Committees on an adhoc basis, working on single issues with clear goals and deliverables – for example, our current disappearing committee is conducting a state-by-state review of beaver coexistence permitting.

• Beaver Institute will work with partners to build a sustainable and holistic forum that bridges the in-person impacts of BeaverCON with the multifarious activities occurring across North America; providing knowledge, support and connections for local, state and tribal beaver-related activity.

Thanks to connections and relationships built through the NBWGs, and elsewhere, state-based beaver coalitions and working groups have emerged over the past three years, building place-based momentum and community. This is where we believe the most gains and successes are to be had in the coming years.

Beavers are truly an intersectional crossroad that welcomes and requires an interdisciplinary approach across cultural and ideological differences. Our vision is that by bringing activities under one big lodge – the North American Beaver Knowledge Network – we can gain understanding and cooperation amongst and between the larger “We”: breaking down silos, sharing knowledge, and fortifying common ground.

It’s an honor every day to work on behalf of Beaver, and all living things, and I look forward to this next chapter for Beaver Institute, and bringing everyone along with us. In the meantime, the best way to stay in touch with the movement and the work is through our monthly Newsletter.

Continue to look to our Beaver relative to stay resilient, tolerant and adaptable!

Take good care,

Adam Burnett

executive director