The highlights from Year 3 (2021-22) to Year 7 (2025-26) are listed below.
Year 7 Highlights (2025-26)
This subproject by Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners (CWSP) focuses on monitoring and mitigating the impact of beavers on cottonwood/aspen stands throughout the Columbia Wetlands and includes the installation of wire guards on important cottonwood trees as well as assessment/repair of past wire guards on trees. Previously completed wetland mapping and canoe surveys have identified critical stands of cottonwoods for targeted wrapping. Building on the work done in Year 6, the work in Year 7 included identifying high quality wildlife trees or cottonwood stands for wrapping using the CWSP wetland mapping. Mature cottonwoods with existing nest structures or evidence of wildlife use were prioritized, as well as stands with multiple mature trees and younger recruitment trees. All identified stands showed evidence of beaver activity.
Year 6 Highlights (2024-25)
This subproject by Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners (CWSP) focuses on monitoring and mitigating the impact of beavers on cottonwood/aspen stands throughout the Columbia Wetlands and includes the installation of wire guards on important cottonwood trees as well as assessment/repair of past wire guards on trees. Previously completed wetland mapping has identified critical stands of cottonwoods for targeted surveying. Building on the work done in Year 5, the work in Year 6 included assessing beaver activity along the Columbia Wetlands via canoe and identifying high quality wildlife trees or cottonwood stands for future wrapping. Mature cottonwoods with existing nest structures or evidence of wildlife use were prioritized, as well as stands with multiple mature trees and younger recruitment trees. All identified stands showed significant evidence of beaver activity. Previously installed wire guards were assessed on trees near Radium, Brisco, Parson, and Golden.
Year 4 Highlights (2022-23)
This short video documents efforts made by the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners (CWSP) to conserve high-value cottonwood stands and wildlife trees in the Columbia Wetlands. Cottonwoods provide habitat for large raptors, great blue herons, woodpeckers, as well as important forage and building materials for beavers. These important wildlife trees are limited and valuable in the Columbia Wetlands.
The cottonwood conservation project promotes retention of mature wildlife trees in the Columbia Wetland by protecting trees from beaver herbivory. Wetland mapping and surveys in Year 1 identified critical stands of cottonwoods within the project areas.
Building on the work completed in Year 3, the work in Year 4 was aimed at targeting high value cottonwood trees. Mature cottonwoods that had existing nest structures were prioritized, as well as stands with multiple mature trees and younger recruitment trees. Almost all of these stands were near significant evidence of beaver activity.
Year 3 Highlights (2021-22)
As part of the 4-year study into the Columbia Wetlands, we are conducting research into the impacts of beaver dams on individual wetlands within the Columbia Wetlands complex. As this is a 2-year project, in this report we present preliminary results and describe the completed and ongoing work. 38 study wetlands are being studied for this research, covering 2395.61 ha or approximately 9% of the total area of the Columbia Wetlands.
The purpose of the cottonwood/beaver project is to assess the status of important cottonwood stands and install wire protectors if they are required to protect critical stands from beaver harvesting. If feasible, start to assess the regeneration of cottonwood on the levees. This subproject used the wetland mapping from Yr1 to identify the stands of cottonwoods, used a survey of important wildlife cottonwood trees to identify critical trees and small stands, and then after seeking permission of selected landowners, installed wire around selected cottonwood trees. In total 45 large trees, often near active beaver colonies were protected. The project brought in a Youth Climate Corp to assist with the installation of the wire.
