Long considered “nature’s engineers,” beavers have put their teeth and talents to work, creating dams along waterways throughout the West.

Scientists have recently discovered the wetlands created behind those dams can slow down the spread of wildfires and provide refuge for animals trying to escape the flames. That spreading water can also seep into the ground and help irrigate valley floors.

And yet, most western states consider beavers nuisances and have few restrictions on trapping and killing them.

This has led some scientists and conservationists to push for protecting beavers and working with the furry, aquatic rodents to enhance ecosystems in order to make them more resilient to fire, drought and climate change.

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