Bend, Oregon – The nonprofit Think Wild is launching an aggressive volunteer recruitment drive for its Beaver Works Oregon program. After wildfires and unsafe summer conditions forced the cancellation of several projects, the organization is extending its field season through September and October to make up lost time.
Why beavers matter in Oregon
Under Oregon law, beavers are recognized as a keystone species and “nature’s engineer.” Their dams slow water, improve water quality, increase stream flow, and create wetland habitat that can lower wildfire risk and provide refuge for wildlife. Think Wild designs projects that mimic these natural processes, building structures called Beaver Dam Analogs where beavers are absent and planting native vegetation to support beaver populations.
Volunteer opportunities across the state
Fieldwork will take place at multiple sites in Central and Eastern Oregon. Volunteers can join a native‑plant planting week at Crooked River Park, help plant willow and cottonwood along Eightmile Creek, and construct Beaver Dam Analogs at Camp Creek in the Malheur National Forest. The program also conducts beaver sign surveys, training participants to identify chewed vegetation, tracks, scat, dams, lodges and bank dens.
“This is the most destructive and largest wildfire season on record for Oregon, which has underscored exactly why this work matters,” said Maureen Thompson, Think Wild’s director of conservation. “Beavers are powerful agents of landscape change. By slowing and storing water, reconnecting streams with their floodplains and creating wetland habitat, beavers can help Oregon stay wetter and more resilient during drought and wildfire.”
No experience required
Think Wild provides all training, tools and guidance, making the projects accessible to beginners, families and seasoned outdoorspeople alike. “If you’ve been considering volunteering with Beaver Works Oregon, now is the time to get started,” said volunteer coordinator Emily Sullivan. “We have opportunities for a wide range of interests and abilities. Some projects are physically demanding and take us deep into the field, while others are accessible to beginners and families.”
Schedule of events
- Beaver research and monitoring – Sept. 19‑20
- Crooked River Park planting week – Sept. 21‑27
- Family‑friendly survey day – Oct. 3
- Beaver Dam Analog construction at Camp Creek – Oct. 12‑16
- Plant restoration along Eightmile Creek – Oct. 21‑24
- Additional monitoring sessions – through Oct. 30
Data gathered from the sign surveys will help land managers and conservationists understand historic beaver presence, track current populations and evaluate future restoration sites. By restoring beaver habitats, the program aims to create a more fire‑resilient landscape for Oregon’s communities and wildlife.
Interested residents can sign up through Think Wild’s website or contact the volunteer coordinator for more information.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
