How beavers are restoring rivers, wetlands, and wildlife across North America

North America once had 400 million beavers; they were nearly wiped out by the 1900s due to fur trapping for waterproof pelts.

Conservation efforts and reintroduction programs in the second half of the 20th century have helped beavers return to parts of their former range.

Beavers build dams from branches, logs, stones, and mud, which slow water flow and create ponds and wetlands.

These beaver-created habitats support a wide array of wildlife and increase resilience against droughts and wildfires.

Beaver populations disappeared from many US rivers, causing changes like dried wet meadows and disappeared ponds before their comeback.