It is unbelievable that the…

It is unbelievable that the Ontario Government is considering changes regarding trapping regulations, particularly the impact these changes would have on beavers.

The climate crisis has become very real for many Canadians. Catastrophic flooding, tornadoes, drought, poor air quality and wildfires have made us aware of the critical role wetlands play in reducing the impacts of these events.

Beavers are a keystone species that are critical in maintaining healthy wetlands and thus a key ally in fighting climate change.

The fact that you are proposing to expand trapping opportunities to including trapping beavers during the closed season on Crown land, and reducing reporting requirements flies in the face of science as well as common sense.

The proposal mentions protection of infrastructure from beaver flooding; modern flow device technology can protect infrastructure while allowing beavers to continue providing their essential environmental services. They are also more cost effective than repetitive trapping.

The impact of climate change, i.e. wildfires, extreme weather, posses a far greater threat to property and livelihood of Ontarians than beavers ever will.

It is unethical to put the concerns of a very small group (trappers) above the welfare of the majority of the population.

There is no denying the remarkable contributions of beavers. While this keystone species is widely recognized for its ability to construct dams and create ponds, less is known about the role that beavers play in keeping our ecosystems healthy and helping to manage water-related issues. The following are five facts you may not know about Canada’s national symbol.

Beavers minimize flood risk. Yes – you read that correctly. Beavers minimize the risk of flooding in the same manner that they provide insurance against drought. Essentially, beaver dams slow down the speed at which water moves through a system (like a speed bump). Slower water means delayed and, in some cases, reduced flood peaks further downstream.

Beavers provide insurance against drought. An individual beaver pond can store a tremendous amount of water and has often been referred to as a “sponge”. This sponge-like reservoir can lessen the effects of drought, because in addition to storing water on the surface, the weight of the pond forces water into aquifers and rehydrates the soil itself.

Beaver ponds improve water quality. By slowing the rate at which water flows, beaver ponds give suspended sediment time to settle to the bottom. This sediment absorbs and filters pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilizers. Not only is this filtration crucial for surrounding ecosystems, it improves the quality of water downstream that is used by humans and other species.

Beavers increase a landscape’s fire resistance. By building dams, forming ponds, and digging canals, beavers irrigate vast stream corridors and create fireproof refuges in which plants and animals can shelter. In fact, the beaver’s engineering activities have been known to stop fire in its tracks. It is not uncommon to see large green patches only where beavers live, after a fire has swept through.

Beavers create habitats for other species. Beavers build watertight dams made of sticks, reeds, branches, and rocks, which are glued together with mud. These dams slow the flow of water, resulting in the creation of ponds and wetlands. This, in turn, provides habitat for a large number of species, including fish, mammals, waterfowl, songbirds, amphibians, and insects – far more species than you would find in a pond without beavers. Also, the felling of trees provides space for new plant species to emerge in their place. Such plants then provide food and cover for other species. There is no denying their role in keeping our ecosystems healthy. Akin to the multi uses of a Swiss army knife, they equip us with a filtration system, firewalls, speed bumps, sponge-like reservoirs, and aweinspiring homes for many species. Beavers matter!

The Ontario Government should be expanding protection of wild spaces and biodiversity, not literally finding ways to destroy it.