Beavers Are Back: How California’s Wetland Engineers Are Restoring the Sierra

Beavers are making a big comeback in California, and they’re bringing ecosystems back with them.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has released a new status report detailing the success of its Beaver Restoration Program, launched in 2022 to reintroduce beavers as ecosystem engineers across their native range.

Between October 2023 and September 2024, 28 beavers were relocated to five Sierra Nevada sites in partnership with the Tule River Tribe and Maidu Summit Consortium. Since then, the animals have built dams at three locations, produced two litters of kits, and significantly expanded wetland habitats.

At the Maidu Summit Consortium’s Tásmam Koyóm valley, a 100-meter beaver dam has increased surface water and created critical wetland areas in a landscape burned by the 2021 Dixie Fire. One release site showed a 23% increase in surface water, reconnecting streams with their floodplains.

These efforts aim to harness the beaver’s natural ability to restore ecosystems, mitigate drought, and slow wildfires. CDFW estimates survival rates for translocated beavers at 40-60%, with mortality primarily from predation and health conditions.

The program is part of California’s broader initiative to expand nature-based solutions. Beavers, once seen as a nuisance species, are now valued for their role in creating fire-resistant wetlands and improving watershed health.

CDFW is inviting the public to help track beaver populations through its online Beaver Observation Survey Tool. Learn more about how you can participate at wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Beaver.