6:45 Reception
7:00 GLC business meeting: Hear about programs, stewardship, and recent additions to GLC lands
7:30 Social
7:45 Presentation by Kenneth Larsen: Dam it! How Beavers Help Clean Water and Build Wetlands Across the U.S.

Beavers once shaped streams and wetlands across North America, but many of those landscapes changed dramatically after they were nearly wiped out by fur trapping. Without beaver dams to slow water down, more sediment and pollution flow through rivers, and we’ve lost many wetlands crucial for wildlife, clean water, and flood protection.

Exploring what could happen if beavers returned on a large scale, Kenny used computer simulations and estimated how many beaver dams could exist across the continental U.S. and what kind of impact they might have..

His work shows that beavers aren’t just busy—they’re vital. These natural engineers have the power to reshape landscapes, improve water quality, and restore wetlands. Supporting beaver recovery could be a powerful, cost-effective way to tackle environmental challenges nationwide.

Kenny Larsen is a PhD Candidate in Environmental Engineering at Michigan Technological University and the 2022-2024 Margaret A Davidson Fellow at the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve. He also has an MS in Environmental Engineering, a BS in Geology, and a BS in French Studies. Kenny is a researcher who spends too much and not enough time thinking about water—where it goes, what’s in it, and what beavers do with it. His recent work focuses on the role of beaver dams in sediment retention, phosphorus cycling, wetland formation, and understanding the broader impacts of beaver dams on the landscape.