Desert Beavers: Saving Water on the Colorado Plateau

When we think about beavers, deserts don't usually come to mind. However, these ecosystem engineers play an important role in creating and sustaining healthy habitats in the otherwise parched environment of the Colorado Plateau. Centered on the Four Corners area where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet, this arid zone receives an average of just 8 inches of precipitation each year. Find out how desert beavers are helping to keep water on this dry landscape and increase biodiversity in precious riparian zones across the Colorado Plateau. Expedition Leader Aaron Bott describes how biologists are working with these aquatic rodents to hydrate this dry region of the American Southwest. Although native beaver populations have been greatly reduced on the Colorado Plateau, wildlife biologists like Aaron are working to heal habitats by bringing beavers back to the desert. Learn about initiatives to preserve and restore habitats in desert watersheds, and how you can get involved in these crucial conservation efforts.


Originally presented June 4, 2021

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