Beavers in Charge: Keystone-species-led Framework for Habitat Restoration

Full Article Available on Academia

Site: Catskill, NY
Instructor: Cathryn Newton

May, 2024
Paper for Syracuse Honors Course:
Biodiversity: Past Present Future

Beavers, as keystone species and ecosystem engineers, offer a transformative approach to landscape restoration in New York State. This project advocates a five-act framework centered on reintroducing beavers to degraded environments, leveraging their natural behaviors to restore ecological balance. Unlike conventional restoration methods that rely on artificial interventions, this passive strategy empowers beavers to reconstruct stream habitats, enhance biodiversity, and improve hydrological functions. Through historical analysis, this framework addresses the fragmented landscapes caused by human development since the colonial era. By introducing minimal human-built infrastructure, such as wildlife corridors and retaining structures, the project mitigates conflicts between human and beaver activities. Embracing the “hot mess” aesthetics of natural landscapes, this vision challenges traditional sterile design paradigms and promotes coexistence. This approach not only revitalizes ecological richness but also integrates community engagement and policy alignment, setting a replicable model for sustainable restoration projects globally.