Workshop Resources (Slides, Handouts)

Logistics

What To Bring

​Participants will be out in the field, building in-stream structures by hand. We will be walking and exploring creeks, doing hand work, and exposed to the elements. August in Wyoming could bring us hot temperatures, but also thunderstorms. 

The bottom line is we will be exposed to the elements, so prepare for anything (i.e. pouring rain, blistering heat). We recommend lots of layers, and work clothes.  Absolutely no sandals or flip-flops! 

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For field tour you will want:

• Closed toed work boots or wading boots.
• Hat/sunglasses
• Waders: Breathable chest waders recommended, but hip waders can suffice; if you can't get  your own, please contact us ahead of time with your shoe size and height; we have a few extra we can bring).
• Water Bottle(s)
• Sun Screen
• Bug spray (we will be working in an area with ticks)
• Something to write on (e.g. clipboard or field notebook) and something to write with (pencil or pen)
• Camera/Phone (optional)

For the construction exercises on Day 1 & Day  2, we will provide safety gear and protective equipment, but you may choose to bring your own (if you have them):

• Work gloves
• Hard Hat (for all construction activities)
• Ear protection (for post pounder)
• Safety glasses

A change of clothes for the field may be advisable.

Beyond that, expect to get wet and muddy and to roll up your sleeves and have fun. ​

Agenda

This will be a packed 2-days. Plan on a full​ two days, but with lots of time for discussion, and learning by doing. 

Day 1 - Restoring Process and Function in Riparian Areas 
- Mainly class room (8 to 6)

• 8 AM - 10:00ish - Classroom Session - Introductions, Background & Context, Reading the Riparian Landscape
• 10:00ish to 12:30ish - TNC Red Canyon Ranch -  Reading Landscape + Building your First BDA 
• 12:30 - 1:00  - Lunch
• 1:00 - 6:00 - Classroom Session - Restoring Processes & Function in Riparian
• 7:00 - 9:00 - Informal Evening Social  & Dinner @ TBD (tentatively Coalter Loft) - Presentation & Discussion by Jay Wilde

Day 2 - Implementing Low-Cost Structures as Restoration Tools
- Mainly field (8 to 5)

• 8 AM - 9:00ish - Classroom Session - Adaptive Management, Pilots, Maintenance & Expectation Management
• 9:00ish to 3:30  - Field Design and Implementation of Low Cost Structures
• 3:30 to 5:00 - Synthesis Discussions on the Creek - Regulatory Context in Wyoming; Where to Go From Here
• 5:00 - Departures from the Field

background preparation

If you would like to do a little background reading prior to the workshop, you may find the following helpful:

Recommended Reading

Read the Red Canyon Ranch Ecological Management Plan (2009) from TNC for background on the ranch we will be visiting.

Workshop information

​Primary Learning Outcomes
This workshop will bring together NRCS conservationists and partners in Wyoming interested in how to use beaver, and beaver dam analogues, as low-cost tools to restore riparian areas to benefit wildlife and working lands. Participants will come away with:

1. An appreciation of beaver ecology and the complex feedbacks between beaver activity, hydrogeomorphic responses, riparian vegetation and ecology;
2. Exposure to ways in which beaver and beaver dam analogues can be used as restoration tool to mitigate specific impairments;
3. Introduction to considerations in planning, permitting, design and building such restoration projects;
4. Knowledge of how to use adaptive management in managing expectations about beaver as a restoration agent and/or nuisance impacts;
5. First-hand experience designing and building some beaver dam analogues;
6. A chance to interact with experienced practitioners & share perspectives

Instruction Team

Due to limited space, registration, is by invitation only.

RSVP Brian Jensen (NRCS) to Register

sgi-nrcs_beaver_workshop-wyoming_2018_flyer.pdf
File Size:	720 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Local Partners & Sponsors

• Brian Jensen, the NRCS State Wildlife Biologist, is the workshop lead organizer. 

We are grateful to our local partners and hosts from the Nature Conservancy:

• John Coffman - TNC Southern Wyoming Land Steward
• Holly Copeland - Conservation Scientist / Spatial Ecologist
  

workshop   made possible by:

Thanks to the generous support of the Natural Resource Conservation Service's Sage Grouse Initiative and Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative, a grant through Pheasants Forever to Utah State University's Restoration Consortium and Joe Wheaton's ET-AL lab are able to deliver a series of workshops to NRCS conservationists and their partners throughout the west. This series was envisioned by Jeremy Maestas (NRCS/SGI) and is possible thanks to partner matches by various local organizations in each state (see each state page) and matching funds from Utah State University.

Instruction Team

Joe Wheaton  (USU, Anbranch Solutions)

Jeremy Maestas (NRCS, West NTSC)

Nick Bouwes  (USU, ELR, Anbranch Solutions)

Steve Bennett  (USU, Anbranch Solutions)

Scott Shahveridan (USU, Anbranch Solutions)

Jay Wilde (Diamondback W Ranch)

Thanks to our hosts!

Thanks to a partnership and matching support from the Nature Conservancy, the workshop will be held at the TNC's Red Canyon Ranch, just 11 miles outside of Lander, Wyoming.

The workshop will be held at the TNC's Red Canyon Ranch facility.

A variety of lodging options are available in Lander (about 20 minutes away)

Lander, Wyoming Lodging Options