event

Beaver Dam Analog Build

Register now for Bark’s first ever in-stream restoration project- a beaver dam analog! Beaver dam analogs (or BDAs) are human-made beaver dams, built to slow and store water and sediment in the same way a beaver dam does. This not only creates beaver-y habitat in areas where beavers are not present, it ideally entices beavers to recolonize the area now that there is enough water for them to hide from predators. Sometimes you have to be a beaver to get a beaver!

Everyone is welcome and no experience necessary! This BDA building day will be moderate to high physical activity with plenty of carrying tools and materials, stepping over logs, wading into wetland areas and pushing through shrubs. Some volunteers will use the post pounder to drive posts into the stream bed, others will collect small branches to weave into the BDA, and others will do the work of weaving and building up the structures. We will encourage everyone to try their hand at all three!

Personal protective equipment like hard hats, eye protection, ear plugs and gloves will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants and bring plenty of layers and a rain jacket. bring snacks, lunch you can eat in the field and plenty of water.

We will all meet at Gateway/NE 99th Ave. at 9 am. Make sure to meet us at the entrance to the parking garage! From there we will coordinate carpooling to Hoodland Thriftway. At the Thriftway, I will share the coordinates for our final destination, and we will caravan together to the site. At the final BDA site, we will share safety info, talk about the site and then head into the field for some BDA building! We will aim to be back at the Gateway transit center in Portland by 6pm.

Questions? Comments? Email Meg@Bark-Out.org.