Three urban riparian sites that were selected for beaver forage management due to their proximity to local beaver populations and tree abundance considered by the city to be of high value, of ecological importance, or an area of low species richness with a need to protect existing biodiversity at the locations. To protect riparian trees from being felled from beavers, volunteer personnel installed wire cage enclosures as a noninvasive management practice of forage control that will promote co-existence with the beaver population.
The three sites selected for management include Memorial Park (south of E 32nd Street to E 29th Street), the Animas River Trail (south of Rotary Park to bridge over Animas River at W 14th Street), and city property adjacent to Huck Finn Pond.
The goal of this beaver forage management project is to provide protection to city trees at select locations along the Animas River Corridor while also offering an opportunity for public education on the important role beavers play in our natural and urban ecosystems.