Education Programs

Beavers are endemic to North America. They were hunted to near extinction during the fur trade era and considered pests by westward expansionists settling, farming, and ranching in river floodplains. Though humans and beavers often still face challenges coexisting with one another, we now face an uncertain future in our watersheds considering the effects of land conversion/development and climate change.

Beavers and their dam building are now being acknowledged as practical partners in ecosystem restoration, conservation and resilience. Through sharing the knowledge of beavers benefits and resolving the challenges created by their industrious activities, much needed habitat is being improved or restored such as

• increased water storage on the landscape for both wildlife and people
• increased habitat complexity to accommodate other wildlife including fish, songbirds, waterfowl, amphibians, reptiles, ungulates, bats, insects as well as all the vegetation these lifeforms depend on
• increased resilience to drought, flooding and fire
• increased prevention of wildfire spread.

Through our various education and outreach programs we explore and share beaver biology, ecology, coexistence strategies, stewardship measures, and how you can become involved with the Methow Beaver Project in building a sustainable, resilient and biodiverse community.

Pre-K through High School

MBP provides classroom or hatchery-based programing to grades pre-k through High School. MBP staff collaborate with classroom teachers to develop curriculum which dove tails with classroom science standards that are STEAM based and provide students with hands-on learning experiences.

Class Offerings:
Pre-K-5: Beaver Biology and Ecology, The Keystone Connection. This class explores the life history, adaptations, and habits of beavers as well as the habitat created by their dam building and the biodiversity these pond complexes support. Supporting a tremendous number of other organisms gives beavers the rare distinction of being a keystone species, an exceptionally critical piece in a complex web of life.

5-6: What is a Watershed? Through this hands-on class students learn what a watershed is, and how their choices and stewardship actions impact the land and water quality.

Pre-K-6: Tours of our beaver relocation hatchery facility. View beavers, learn about their adaptations and their importance in the ecosystem, why we occasionally relocate them and how, and the connection between salmon and beavers. (Offered May-June, September)

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE