Seminar on Beaver Management and River Restoration
Beavers, the remarkable ecosystem engineers, are making a significant comeback in Europe and North America. Their incredible ability to transform landscapes by building dams not only alters water flow but also retains sediments, nutrients, plants, and wildlife. These modifications can sometimes lead to conflicts with human interests, but they also provide essential ecosystem services and support river restoration efforts.
Join H2O’Lyon and Réseaux Rivières TV in delving into these fascinating dynamics and promoting collaboration on beaver management and river restoration. This event aims to bring together scientists, managers, conservation experts, and students to share knowledge and experiences.
Participation is free but mandatory. You can register for individual dates or the entire programme. Please note that participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and transport to the sites.
This seminar is a unique opportunity to learn, share, and collaborate on the role of beavers in ecosystem restoration and climate change mitigation. Don’t miss out on this chance to engage with experts and enthusiasts alike.
Event Schedule:
Monday, 27 May:
Webinar – “Beavers as Ecosystem Engineers: Impact and Role in Restoration”
Time: 17:00 – 18:30
Highlights:
- Introduction by Water Science master’s students from Lyon
- Presentations by Annegret Larsen (Wageningen University) and Chris Jordan (NOAA Federal)
- Live translation available in French-English
Monday, 3 June:
Hybrid Seminar and Workshops – “Beaver Management, Feedback, and Knowledge Sharing”
Location: Centre INEED, Valence TGV
Time: 14:00 – 18:30
Highlights:
- Insights from Yoann Bressan (French Biodiversity Agency), Christof Angst (InfoFauna), and Emily Fairfax (University of Minnesota)
- Interactive workshops on beaver management and collaborative knowledge sharing
- Evening meal provided by H2O’Lyon
Tuesday, 4 June:
Field Visits in the Drôme
Time: 9:30 – 12:00
Options:
- Visit to La Lierne: Beaver-type structures for river restoration (with Cédric Cadet, Valence Romans Agglo)
- Visit to Gaec de Montlahuc: Beaver return in an agricultural context (with Marc-Antoine Forconi, Association Biovallée)
