The following is a list of those currently committed to present information at the conference. We feel you will find this broad array of expertise will broaden your perspective and understanding of beavers, their benfits and beaver management issues.

We will update this page as the presenters give us the specific information needed.

Jeff Rodgers

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Conservation and Recovery Monitoring

BS - Biology, University of Oregon, 1978 MS - Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 1985. I have been a research biologist with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife since 1978. Most of my career has been spent conducting research on the freshwater habitat needs of juvenile coho, steelhead, and cutthroat in Oregon coastal streams, their response to habitat restoration projects, and on ways to monitor them. Since 2003 I have been the monitoring coordinator for ODFW's Fish Conservation and Recovery Program. I live in Corvallis and work out of ODFW's Fish Research Laboratory.

Presentation Topic: The role of beaver (Castor canadensis) in the conservation and recovery of Oregon Coast coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

In this talk I will discuss the research we have conducted on the Oregon coast that has led us to conclude that habitat provided by beavers is critical to the conservation and recovery of coho in Oregon. I will also discuss a conceptual framework that ODFW is developing that will hopefully improve Oregon's ability to manage beaver populations and their habitat in a way that will enhance the quality of fish and wildlfe habitat while at the same time protecting private property rights and reducing or mitigating for the damage that beaver can have on private property.

Dr. Duncan Halley

Research Ecologist,Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway

Duncan Halley was born and raised in Dundee, Scotland. He has a BSc degree in psychology and a PhD in zoology, both from St. Andrews University in Scotland. He first encountered beavers during a year as a postgraduate student at UNC Chapel Hill and various nature reserves in the Rockies. Following his PhD (on murres) he moved to Norway for one year to study golden eagle - sea eagle relationships in connection with the reintroduction of sea eagles to Scotland, and saw his first Eurasian beaver there while acting as a golf caddy. Sixteen years later and a Norwegian citizen, he is an ecologist at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research in Trondheim. Research interests include the impact of wind farms on wildlife, reconstructing diets from analysing stable isotopes in tissues, beaver management and ecology, and reintroduction biology. He is currently involved in sea eagle reintroduction programs to Scotland and to Ireland from Norway, and a reintroduction trial of beavers from Norway to Scotland.

Presentation Topic: The beaver's reconquest of Europe: a natural history in a managed landscape

Charlie Corrarino

Oregon Dept Fish & Wildlife Conservation & Recovery Program Manager (May 1985 to Present)

Education: M.S., Entomology, University of Idaho, 1983 B.S., Fishery Biology, minor in Zoology, Colorado St. University, 1978

Career Objective: Professional growth and development in a challenging environment to protect and enhance Oregon's fishery resources. Professional Experience with Oregon Dept Fish & Wildlife

Conservation & Recovery Program Manager (April 2002 to present) responsible for oversight of native fish conservation issues and implementation of Oregon's Native Fish Conservation Policy. Serve as the policy contact with other management agencies and the general public on a variety of conservation issues. Supervise ESA program, conservation planning program, conservation biology program, Native Fish Investigation Project and Aquatic Inventories Project. ODFW liaison for the ODFW/OSU Oregon Hatchery Research Center which opened in October of 2005.

Fish Passage Program Coordinator (July 2000 to March 2002) responsible for fish passage policy development and statewide program implementation. Participant on a legislative task force to develop Oregon's new fish passage statutes. Facilitated the development of Oregon's Fish Passage Task Force and began to develop administrative rules as directed in statute. Worked with landowners interested in providing fish passage and assisted with funding such projects. Provided direction and oversight for three screening and passage engineers. Conservation Biology Program Leader (Jan 1999 to June 2000) responsible for statewide fish management issues, high lake trout stocking, warmwater, trout and steelhead management, fish transportation permitting, scientific take permitting. Supervised four senior fish biologists. R&E and STEP Program Coordinator (Nov 1996 to Dec 1998) for Oregon's Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Program & Salmon Trout Enhancement (STEP) Program. The R&E Program involved working with a seven member public board to review and approve $2-3 million per year in fishery projects statewide. The STEP program involved working with a 12 member public advisory committee and 10 STEP biologists to oversee program implementation that included education, habitat enhancement projects, fish propagation and more. Supervised one Program Assistant. Sport Angling Regulations Coordinator (Aug 1992 to Oct 1996) worked closely with the public, ODFW staff, Oregon State Police, the media and the Fish and Wildlife Commission to develop statewide angling regulations. Supervise 1 part time Program Assistant and 2 college interns. Fishery Database Manager (May 1986 to Aug 1992) managed the Oregon coded-wire-tag database and the sport fishery "punchcard" system for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut. Member of the Pacific Salmon Commission coded-wire-tag subcommittee. Supervised several clerical assistants and provided direction and oversight for a computer programmer. Experimental Biological Aide (May 1985 to May 1986) assisted in determining the effects of Lost Creek and Applegate dams on the salmon and steelhead populations in the Rogue and Applegate rivers. Major tasks were field data collection and data summary.

Professional Experience with Oregon State University

Research Assistant (May 1983 to May 1985) assisted with research studies to determine the effects of toxicants on invertebrate communities in the Willamette Valley and Coast Range streams.

Skip Lisle

Beaver Deceivers International

Mr. Lisle is internationally acclaimed for successfully managing beaver and human infrastructure interfaces using nonlethal management methods.

Skip Lisle has spent decades studying beavers and wetlands. From his childhood growing up beside a beaver pond to a Master's Degree in Wildlife Conservation to a long professional career, his passion for the incomparable habitats that beavers create has not diminished. A former construction worker, he has spearheaded the effort to economically protect properties---and enhance ecosystems---by implementing effective, non-lethal, fixed defenses instead of endlessly extirpating beavers. Through fifteen years of unwavering persistence and trial and error, he has invented all of the dozens of high-quality flow devices, flow device components, and building techniques that he uses in his business, Beaver Deceivers International.

John Hadidian, PhD

Urban Wildlife Program Director, The Humane Society of the United States

2100 L St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
(301) 258-3144
(301) 258-3080 fax
jhadidian@hsus.org

John Hadidian (PhD 1979, The Pennsylvania State University) is the Director of the Urban Wildlife Programs at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Prior to coming to The HSUS he served as the Regional Wildlife Biologist for the National Park Service's Center for Urban Ecology in Washington, DC. There he conducted field research on raccoon, deer, and squirrels in urban parks, as well as research on wildlife habitat relationships and human-wildlife conflict issues in urbanizing environments.

He served as the administrative director of the HSUS Cape Wildlife Center from 2001-2002 and has been a member of the Harmony Institute's Community Action Board since 2001. John has served on the U.S. Department of State's Man and the Biosphere Program as a member of the Human Dominated Systems Directorate, is Associate Editor for the journal Urban Ecosystems, Chair of the Wildlife Society's Urban Wildlife Working Group, and member of the U. S. Department of Agriculture's National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee. He is the principal author of the book Wild Neighbors: the humane approach to living with wildlife. He is currently an adjunct instructor in the Natural Resource's Program at Virginia Tech's Northern Virginia campus.

Dr. Michael Pollock

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Ecosystem Analyst

As an Ecosystems Analyst, Dr. Pollock has been studying forest, stream and wetland ecosystems for the past 17 years. During this time he has engaged in a diverse suite of scientific studies including: the influence of disturbance and productivity on biodiversity patterns in riparian corridors, the influence of beaver habitat on coho smolt production and ecosystem function, the historical patterns of riparian forest conditions in the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of riparian forests to maintaining stream habitat. Dr. Pollock also provides policy analyses to parties interested in understanding the potential effects of proposed or existing laws, policies, and regulations on our environment. Past analyses include the environmental impact of habitat conservation plans (HCPs), the likely effect of proposed state legislation concerning the protection of salmonid habitat, and the probable environmental impacts of various specific land use proposals. Dr. Pollock holds a B.S. in Biochemistry (California State University, Humboldt, Cum Laude) and a Ph.D. in Ecosystems Analysis (University of Washington, College of Forest Resources). Prior to joining the Watershed Program in 1999, Dr. Pollock was a partner in a local consulting firm and director of a small, non-profit scientific research institute.

Dr.Suzanne Fouty

United States Forest Service (USFS) Wallowa Whitman District, Stream Hydrologist

Suzanne Fouty has a B.S. in Geology (University of Washington), a M.S. in Geology (University of Arizona) and a Ph.D. in Geography (University of Oregon). Her Master’s research examined long-term groundwater recharge rates in semi-arid and arid regions in Nevada. Her Ph.D. research examined current and historic stream channel response to changes in cattle and elk grazing pressure and beaver activity in Montana and Arizona. She has worked as a Water Resource Specialist for the State of New Mexico on groundwater contamination issues, as an outdoor environmental educator, and as a consultant for The Nature Conservancy, the Bureau of Land Management, Department of Justice, and environmental groups on stream-related issues. She currently works for the U.S. Forest Service. Her beaver-related interests are:

1.Working with beavers and local communities to minimize the impacts of climate change by restoring the stream-valley floor hydrologic connection, stream/riparian ecosystems and therefore the water retention and storage capability and ecological stability of watersheds.

2.How grazers, beavers, beaver trapping, wolves and coyotes and our attitudes and laws regarding each impact rates, directions and types of stream, riparian, and water quality changes, and the communities dependant on healthy stream/riparian ecosystems.

3.The politics of and the resistance to ecosystem restoration.

Greg Jackle

Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Assistant District Wildlife Biologist, Grant District, John Day, OR.

Representative on Oregon's state-wide Beaver working group. Graduated from Willamette University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science. Majored in Biology and History with a minor in Chemistry. I have worked for ODFW in various positions since 1999, and have been in my current position since 2003.

Presentation title: Beaver Management Strategies in the John Day Basin

Lewis L Pence

Idaho State Soil and Water Conservationist

I received my BS Degree in Range Management from the University of Idaho in June of 1964. Upon receiving the degree I went to work for the Soil Conservation Service. Currently renamed the Natural Resources Conservation Service. I was employed by them from June of 1964 until January of 1997. During that period I worked in the following positions.

Range Conservationist - 4 years in Pocatello, Idaho working in Southeast Idaho

Soil Conservationist - 2 years in Buhl, Idaho working Twin Falls and Owyhee Counties.

Area Range Conservationist - 4 years in Boise Idaho working all of Southern Idaho

District Conservationist - 6 years in Gooding, Idaho managing work activities in Gooding and Camas Counties

Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator - 17 years managing the RC&D program in Gooding, Camas, Lincoln, and Blaine Counties.

As a result of the number of years and the variety of work experiences, I have developed considerable knowledge working in the field of natural resource management. I am especially adapt at working with ranchers, farmers, local entities of government, state agencies and federal agencies. The 17 years spent as a coordinator allowed me to develop the skills necessary to get diverse groups working together to accomplish projects.

Presentation Topic: Beaver (Castor canadensis)-A tool for riparian management

Many of the streams in the Wood River Resource Conservation and Development Area were in poor condition because of past abuse or alterations. The landowners and various conservation agencies had tried several kinds of structures to improve the stream conditions. These structures were not solving the problems because they either washed out, were expensive or were time consuming to maintain. Interested parties were contacted and a Beaver Committee was organized. This committee developed a management plan to locate beaver in selected streams, monitor beaver activities, educate people about beavers, and resolve people/beaver conflicts. Over the past several years the area has benefited greatly from using beavers as a tool for improving riparian areas.

My presentation will enumerate the causes and effects of riparian failure in high desert regions. Structural implementations to correct the problem often failed. When we shifted our strategy using beavers and best practice grazing methods the results were very successful.

Presentation Title: Fur Trade II: Proposing a Second Great Exploitation Event to Amass Human Wealth

Sherri Tippie

Colorado Licensed Beaver Translocator, President and Director of Wildlife 2000.

Sherri Tippie, has been live-trapping and relocating beaver since 1985. Through many years of hands on experience she began to see why they were a “Keystone” species. They were also the answer to many of the water and aquatic habitat problems of the arid west.

Today she internationally known for her expertise in live-trapping and relocating beavers. Her organization Wildlife 2000, has effectively addressed a broad range of human/beaver conflicts.

Presentation Topic: The Beaver: Nuisance or Opportunity

In her slide presentation, “Tippie”, as she likes to be called, will discuss beaver, and share some of the techniques that make her one of the most successful beaver live-trappers. She will explain why so many people in recent times are interested in having beaver relocated to their land. Most importantly, she will cover some of the conflict solutions so beaver don't have to be relocated.

Jimmy Taylor, Ph.D

US Dept. of Agriculture, APHIS

Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center

Dr. Jimmy Taylor is a supervisory research wildlife biologist and project leader for the National Wildlife Research Center. His research focuses on understanding and reducing mammalian damage to forest and riparian ecosystems. He holds degrees in forestry and wildlife ecology and is an adjunct faculty member at Mississippi State University, Portland State University, and Oregon State University. He has been a member of The Wildlife Society since 1994 and has served in several appointed positions at the student, state, and section level. His project's research has included evaluating non-lethal techniques to control beaver impacts in Arizona; improving techniques to monitor beaver movement and survival; and understanding the social organization of beaver colonies in areas with reported high levels of damage. Dr. Taylor is a member of the Wildlife Services beaver working group and the Oregon Department of Fisheries and Wildlife working group.

Dr. DeWaine H. Jackson:

Wildlife Research Supervisor – SW Region – Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (1994 – current)

Education: B.S. Iowa State University (1976) M.S. Michigan State University (1979) – thesis on waterfowl ecology Ph.D. Colorado State University (1984) – thesis on Ecology of Bobcats in Colorado

Job Experience: 1. Contract Biologist – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (1983-84) 2. Forest Wildlife Research Biologist – Iowa Department of Natural Resources (1984–94) 3. Wildlife Research Supervisor – SW Region – Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (1994 – current) Species worked on: 1. coyotes 2. Mallards 3. Mourning Doves 4. Bobcats 5. Eastern White-tailed deer 6. Wild turkey 7. Ruffed grouse 8. Cougar 9. Black-tailed deer 10. Black bear 11. Columbian white–tailed deer 12. Elk 13. Mule deer 14. BEAVER Over 35 Scientific and Popular Articles

Current Ecological Interests: (1) impacts of predation on ungulate population dynamics and (2) evaluation of spatial and temporal scales in determining appropriate wildlife management practices

Presentation Topic: An evaluation of beaver restoration in southwestern Oregon riverine habitats – a pilot study.

Stephanie Boyles

Wildlife Scientist in the Humane Society of the United States' Wildlife and Habitat Protection Department

Stephanie Boyles is the Wildlife Scientist in the Humane Society of the United States' Wildlife and Habitat Protection Department where she works with federal and state agencies, NGOs, municipalities, corporations, and communities to develop humane wildlife management and control programs, policies and procedures.

Prior to her arrival at The HSUS, Stephanie spent 10 years working primarily on urban wildlife conflict issues as the wildlife biologist for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (or PETA). In addition to her duties at The HSUS, Stephanie is also a research associate at Christopher Newport University and conducts research to explore and analyze effective, long-term, cost-beneficial approaches to solving problems with beavers along roadways in Virginia.

Stephanie received a Master of Science (M.S.) in environmental studies with an emphasis on human-wildlife conflict resolution from Christopher Newport University in 2006 and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in biology/philosophy from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in 1994. Before entering the field of wildlife advocacy, Stephanie studied and conducted laboratory and field research at Duke University's School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and Hygiene, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, North Carolina State University Department of Zoology and Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.

An Analysis of the Efficacy and Comparative Costs of Using Flow Devices to Resolve Conflicts with North American Beavers Along Roadways in the Coastal Plain of Virginia

Leonard Houston

SURCP Director of the Beaver Advocacy Committee

I am a fourth generation Oregonian, my families roots here predate statehood. As a youth hunting, fishing and trapping the forests and streams of the Umpqua Basin, I have seen firsthand the benefits of an active beaver population. My father taught me a deep abiding respect for the beaver and the role they play in our aquatic ecosystems. I have spent most of my life working in forestry related industry, from pre-commercial contracting to helicopter logging. Returning many years later to the forests of my youth, I was shocked to find that gone were the beaver, our pristine river and streams were now radically changed, the spawning beds and rearing ponds created by the beaver were now bedrock and barren rock bars. Millions of dollars were being spent to restore our streams and anadromus fish runs, yet something was still missing, the beaver dams and ponds of my youth.

Having entered into ecological forest restoration the step to streams and beavers was obvious, with my wife at my side I began intensive beaver research and inventorying beaver populations of the Umpqua Basin. In order to facilitate our actions the Beaver Advocacy Committee was formed and several months later we became a official 501 c3 non profit under the umbrella of the South Umpqua Rural Community Partnership.

Beaver Restoration of the South Umpqua Basin, Translocation and Habitat Restoration

An in depth presentation defining the actions of the South Umpqua Rural Community Partnerships, Beaver Advocacy Committee's, current Tiller Beaver Research Project and the upcoming fifth field restoration of the South Umpqua's, Elk Creek Basin. An audio and visual journey, explaining how beavers are being utilized to to return streams to perennial flow, restore riparian zones, recharge aquifers, while impounding storm water runoff for wildlife, fisheries and domestic use.

Featured Speaker

Native American Tribes

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This page lists the current contributors to and sponsors of this conference: sponsors.html