Working with Beaver to Rehydrate our Rivers

with Catlow Shipek & Mike Foster

Working with Beaver to Rehydrate our Rivers Flyer

When

5:30 to 7 p.m., April 12, 2024

Where

Bisbee Science Lab

The North American Beaver is a remarkable ecosystem engineer that impacts the rest of the biota by slowing and spreading water, creating wetland habitat and extending the time and space water is available on the landscape. Historically, beaver were extirpated from many areas in the western United States as they were trapped for their pelts and furs that were very valuable at the time. Many people and places in the west have started to see the beneficial impact beavers have on our riverscapes.

The San Pedro River is just one place where beaver had been extirpated and have since been reintroduced. While Beaver ecology will be covered generally a focus will be placed on the San Pedro River population. Our speakers, Catlow Shipek & Mike Foster both have first hand knowledge and experience monitoring beaver along the San Pedro. Come learn more about how working with beaver can rehydrate our rivers!

Bios

Catlow Shipek, Sr. Program Director
Catlow Shipek is a founding member of Watershed Management Group, a non-profit organization based in Tucson. He received a MSc in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona and has over 15 years of experience in stream restoration, water harvesting, green infrastructure, and eco-sanitation. Catlow grew up nearby in Hereford and enjoys returning each year to trek along the San Pedro River leading the annual binational beaver survey.  
 
Mike Foster has posted nearly 400 educational videos about the flora, fauna and cultural history of Sonora, Mexico and southern Arizona for the last fifteen years.  Much of his early work was done with the Friends of the San Pedro River.  Now he works as the interpretive person for the Friends of the Huachuca Mountains at the Carr House Information Center. He Has been doing beaver surveys on the San Pedro River for the last 20 years.

Contacts

Trevor Lauber
tlauber@arizona.edu