BEAVER

Beaver Action Alert!

Dear fellow Beaver Allies & Advocates,
A legislative bill has been introduced before the Oregon legislature this session. House Bill 2843 would close recreational and commercial trapping on federally-managed public lands in Oregon. The bill must be scheduled for a public hearing NOW in order to move forward.

Can you take action and send an email this week to: Chair Brad Witt, House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources at Rep.BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov?

You can copy, paste and edit the letter template below, or download file here. An FAQ and Background Sheet is also available for download. Please copy the legislators listed below in your email.

Date:

To: Chair Brad Witt, House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
RE: Requesting a public hearing for HB 2843/Beaver Legislation

Dear Chairman Witt,
I am writing as an Oregonian, to request that you schedule a public hearing on House Bill 2843, the legislative proposal to close recreational and commercial trapping of beaver on federally-managed public lands.

Oregon water security, water quality, and habitat for fish and wildlife will be enhanced by the passage of this bill. Beaver are a keystone species. They build and maintain critical ecosystem infrastructure at little to no cost to taxpayers, offsetting the millions of dollars spent every year to restore salmon habitat in our rivers.
With rapid changes in climate and increasing development pressures on Oregon’s landscapes, now is the time to provide protection and encourage the restoration functions of beaver in the natural environment.

A public hearing this legislative session on HB 2843 is imperative to sustain a vibrant future for Oregon. We cannot wait any longer to prevent climate change and its impacts on Oregon’s future water security, its streams, fish, wildlife and human communities. We need beavers, and beavers need the protection that comes with HB 2843.
Sincerely,

Your Name
City/County

Cc:
Rep.ZachHudson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.VikkiBreeseIverson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.PamMarsh@oregonlegislature.gov

Beavers make things complex; that is one of their essential characteristics. They slow water down, creating deeper cooler pools, resuscitate our ground water, retain sediment and purify water. Beavers are masters at changing a landscape. Their work is an incredible asset to our changing climate, but they come with conflicts for our built community. It may surprise many Oregonians that beaver are not protected. In fact every year hundreds of beavers are killed and removed from our waterways. The Wetlands Conservancy is working with local landowners, surface water management agencies, students, community groups and artists to learn more about beaver and start to educate the community about the role that beaver can play in our water systems.

Learn More

The American Beaver may be the most iconic species in Oregon. Oregon’s early economy was built on the trade of beaver pelts. During the 1800s, demand for pelts was so high that fur trappers virtually eliminated the species from many landscapes through unregulated trapping. However, over time with changes in management and trapping regulations, beaver have re-established in many areas throughout their historic range. In 1969, the Oregon legislature recognized the American beaver by designating it as Oregon’s official State animal. The beaver is depicted on the Oregon State flag, and is the mascot of Oregon State University. Oregon is often referred to as the “Beaver State”.

Beaver Tales Art Exhibit and Sale

In 2017 The Wetlands Conservancy hosted a traveling art exhibit with over 100 pieces and 75 artists from around the state. The exhibit was displayed in 7 different locations and included paintings, fiber, wood and ceramics. As the show traveled it hosted lectures, tours and community discussions about the inclusion of beaver in our urban and rural environments.