Monthly Program: "How Beavers Shaped the North American Landscape"

Before European settlement, between 60 and 400 million beavers occupied nearly every aquatic habitat between the Arctic and Mexico, dramatically shaping the behavior of water with their dams. Floods were alleviated and groundwater was recharged. By slowing, spreading, storing and sinking water, they helped retain water runoff. Little fish had a chance to grow and fatten up in quiet streams full of microorganisms instead of being swept downstream on swift currents. Waterfowl could breed and multiply in their peaceful ponds. Moose, wolves, cougars, coyotes, deer and foxes drank from the ponds and foraged or hunted along their banks. Beavers created songbird habitat. Wildlife flourished. Considered a pest by European farmers and a resource for the European fur trade, by the 1880s they were nearly exterminated. Only now are scientists realizing that the disappearance of beavers has profoundly impacted our ecology in a negative way. There is a growing movement to restore them to the important position they once held.

Presenter: Elaine Goodman

Directions: The Holy Nativity Lutheran Church is located just off Rt. 553 (Woodbury Glassboro Rd.) immediately south of the traffic light at Mantua Ave. The church parking lot can be accessed by entrances on either Woodbury-Glassboro Road or Lenape Trail (first left off of Mantua Ave).

Photo Credit: Scott Barnes