Beavers are a keystone species and their wetlands habitats allow other animals, fish, birds, and amphibians to flourish. More beaver wetlands would help improve water quality; prevent contamination of our rivers from agricultural runoff; raise the levels of our water tables; and create floodwater storage capacity. Even in an urban setting, beavers provide ecological benefits. Beaver dams in urban settings can provide benefits similar to those in rural areas, including storing surface and groundwater, regulating flow, improving stream complexity, storing sediment, and increasing biodiversity, while also restoring stream resilience.​

While beavers do bring the risk of tree damage or flooding, modern tools for beaver management such as the installation of flow devices or tree wrapping allow for the protection of public safety, infrastructure, and landscaping. FIND OUT MORE about managing beaver conflicts.