Smokey the Beaver (Zoom webinar)

***Please note this program is being offered virtually via Zoom.***

Smokey Bear? Find out why it might rightly be Smokey the Beaver in this virtual presentation! Beaver dams and beaver mimicry (e.g. beaver dam analogs) are gaining popularity as a low‐cost, nature-based strategy to build climate resiliency at the landscape scale. Beavers slow and store water in their ponds and canals and the surrounding soil during wet periods that can then be accessed by riparian vegetation during droughts. As a result, the well-watered vegetation in beaver-dammed riparian corridors is less flammable. Dr. Emily Fairfax’s research has shown that these beaver-influenced patches of the landscape stay green and can serve as fire refugia, preserving intact, mature riparian habitat, even during megafires.

Fairfax is an assistant professor of geography at the University of Minnesota and an affiliate faculty member at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. She uses a combination of remote sensing, modeling and field work to understand how beaver ecosystem engineering can create drought- and fire-resistant patches in the landscape under a changing climate. Her research has been featured internationally in National Geographic, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, BBC, Vox and others.

Fee: Free!
Age: Ages 14 or older.

Registration required by Thursday, Sept. 4: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iziSqHiCRhmMMVN_WU09dA#/registration

The meeting ID and password for the Zoom session will be sent via email after registration.

(Photo via Shutterstock)

You may also like the following events from Isle a la Cache Museum/Preserve:

• This Saturday, 23rd August, 10:00 am, Museum Campus Day in Romeoville
• Next month, 4th September, 10:00 am, WonderKids: Fossils! in Romeoville
• Next month, 7th September, 12:00 pm, Living History Encounter: A Voyageur’s Life in Romeoville

Also check out other Workshops in Maplesville, Virtual events in Maplesville.