Environmental leaders in Southern Wisconsin are pursuing nature-based restore function to wetlands and riparian areas. A nature-based solution is a form of conservation that utilizes or replicates natural features to address a specific issue. In this case, beaver dam analogs will be used to reconnect floodplains and restore function to streams and riparian wetlands.

To better understand the build process and create a few demonstration sites, we are proposing a webinar and one or more hands-on workshops. Nature-based solutions are typically small-scale techniques with lower costs and complexity than other more traditional conservation tools, and these sessions will help us determine the most effective method of building a beaver dam analog.

The hands-on workshop will briefly summarize desired outcomes and allow participants to build the beaver dam analogs. We will conduct pre- and post- monitoring to document the following changes: reduced runoff, better water quality, and improved wetland vegetation and associated wildlife.