Climate hero, the American beaver, will be getting its own management plan in New Mexico
after the state senate passed a memorial recognizing the busy rodent’s value to water supplies
and ecosystems—especially in times of drought.
The beaver memorial acknowledges that the dams, ponds and associated wetlands created by beaver
are known to increase groundwater percolation, which raises local groundwater tables
and increases water storage. The memorial also recognizes the critical role that ecosystem restoration
could play in protecting and recovering many imperiled species.
WildEarth Guardians worked with state lawmakers to draft the memorial
and shepherd it through the state legislature. The memorial directs the state wildlife agency
and other relevant agencies to report back to the legislature by September 1st
on an approach for how best to develop the beaver management plan.
Only Oregon and Utah have statewide beaver management plans, both of which recognize
the climate adaptation benefits beaver can offer.
A WildEarth Guardians statewide assessment found beaver populations are dangerously low on public lands in New Mexico.
Over 80% of streams on public lands could support the dam-building ecosystem engineer. And yet recent surveys have found few active beaver in streams and rivers on national forests in the state.
Now the hard work begins of coordinating a multi-agency and stakeholder process to develop the management plan that benefits beaver and New Mexico’s headwaters.
WildEarth Guardians will continue to lead the reestablishment of functional beaver populations on public lands across the state.
This is a big victory for beaver and ecosystems in the West.
Long live the beaver!
