Beavers (Castor canadensis) are a keystone species in North America, capable of reshaping rivers, forests, and wildlife habitat through their dam-building activity.
Once extirpated from Pennsylvania by the early 1900s, beavers have made a remarkable recovery thanks to the stewardship of the Game Commission, trappers, and conservation partners, resulting in a stable population of nearly 20,000 beavers across the Commonwealth.
This webinar explores the ecological and human dimensions of beaver activity, including their role in improving water quality, reducing nutrient loading, and restoring critical ecosystem functions, as well as the challenges their dams can present.
Participants will learn about the importance of beavers to healthy riparian systems, the benefits their dams provide to people and the environment, and practical strategies for encouraging beaver habitation, including the construction of artificial dams.
Who is this for?
-- Conservationists; Ecologists; Foresters; Forest landowners; Hydrologists; Individuals interested in fish; Individuals interested in forests and trees; Wildlife ecologists.
What will you learn?
-- Beaver ecology
-- Beaver-driven ecosystem changes
-- Managing beaver–human conflicts
-- Building artificial dams: how and why
Continuing education credits are available.
Click Here to register and for more information.
Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP Chesapeake Bay News Highlights County Water Quality Action Planning Process, Watershed Restoration Projects, Funding Opportunities [PaEN]
-- Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Has Leadership, Momentum, And Legislation For Cleaner Waters At Home And The Chesapeake Bay - By Julia Krall, PA Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation [PaEN]
-- American Water Charitable Foundation Now Accepting Applications For Water & Environment Grants From PA American Water Service Territories [PaEN]
-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Awards $12.5 Million To Support 30 Delaware River Watershed Conservation Projects; Next Round Of Grant Applications Due In March [PaEN]
-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Awards $6.9 Million to Support 33 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Conservation Projects; Next Round Of Grant Applications Due April 9 [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension Hosts Feb. 24 Beavers And Artificial Dam Building - Gnawing On Ecology [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Guardian Newsletter Highlights A.I. Data Center Water Use [PaEN]
-- In Memoriam: Paul Marchetti, Founding Executive Director Of the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority
NewsClips:
-- Scranton Times: Old Forge Abandoned Coal Mine Borehole Mine Water Eyed For Reclamation, Hydroelectricity; Concept In Development For Years [PDF of Article]
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Pittsburgh Water Authority Gets PennVEST Infrastructure Funding For Lead Water Line Replacement, Upgrades
-- Inquirer Editorial: A Court Was Right To Stop The Sale Of Chester’s Water System, But It Still Needs Help
[Posted: February 4, 2026] PA Environment Digest




