05/12/2026
Both of our properties, Kikas Valley Farm and the Wolfrun Natural Area have beaver activity. We have unplugged culverts (filled with mud and branches) and installed beaver exclusion fencing to protect vital infrastructure.
In a seasonal rite of passage, beavers are on the move this time of year as two-year-old juvenile beavers are kicked out of the colony to make room for this year’s offspring. The displaced juvenile beavers must then search for unoccupied habitat to set up shop. As they move about looking for the perfect spot, more beavers are crossing roads, which puts them at risk of getting hit by cars, as well as finding themselves in locations that put them in direct conflict with landowners and property managers, like backyard ponds and road culverts.
It's common for beavers to move into someone’s backyard pond, though this can create conflicts such as beavers chewing down trees, burrowing into the bank, and plugging drainage structures. If landowners can tolerate some beaver activity on their property, there are techniques for resolving these conflicts that include installing fencing around trees and water flow devices to prevent damming and maintain appropriate water levels.
Beavers create important wetland habitat for many fish, wildlife, and plant species and spring is an excellent time to explore your local wetland. You’ll be amazed at how many species of birds and herps you hear!
🦫 More information about coexisting with beavers and reducing human-beaver conflict can be found on our website at https://vtfishandwildlife.com/beavers 🦫
📷 Did you know beavers are the largest rodent in North America, and that they tend to mate for life? Here, a pair of beavers are seen in their ideal habitat, where there's water and plenty of woody material for them to eat and use to build their dams and lodges. Photo by VFWD
