Beaver Conflict Resolution Program

What We Do

The Beaver Conflict Resolution Program addresses landowner concerns with beaver activity such as flooding or tree felling. Our program assists with site assessments, device design, permitting, installation, and cost-share funding. Programmatic goals include:

Build greater tolerance for beavers on the landscape
Reduce beaver conflicts via nonlethal methods
Increase awareness about the benefits beavers provide for riparian and aquatic health and train partner organizations on how to implement nonlethal methods

Learn more about this innovative program by watching this video.

Get in Touch

If you have a conflict in your area, you can call our Beaver Hotline at 406-393-5557 to speak with someone on our team!

Mission

The Beaver Conflict Resolution Program aims to build greater tolerance for beavers on the landscape through innovative, non-lethal conflict mitigation strategies. We provide landowners with cost-effective solutions and technical expertise to address human-beaver conflicts, while promoting the ecological benefits of beaver presence on the landscape. Through partnerships with state agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities, we strive to balance human needs with beaver conservation, ensuring best management practices that benefit both wildlife and people across diverse ecosystems in the West.

Did You Know?
More than 80% of Montana’s wildlife species rely on beaver-created wetlands for survival!

Program History

In 2019, the National Wildlife Federation, in partnership with the Clark Fork Coalition and Defenders of Wildlife, launched a pilot project to address human-beaver conflicts using non-lethal mitigation methods. With 5 seasons of success, this program was officially adopted in 2024 with unanimous support from partners by NWF allowing us to bring on an additional full time staff member and two Fellow positions to cover a larger geographic scope across Montana. The Program has now expanded to include not only Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 2 but also Region 3 and 4. This increased capacity has brought on additional partners including Montana Freshwater Partners.

Assisting Landowners with Solutions

Our program offers on-the-ground assistance installing devices for landowners wanting to keep beavers in place by addressing concerns such as flooding or tree felling. There are many options available to you if you are looking for a solution to your beaver activity, including:

Wrapping Trees: sturdy wire is used to protect trees from cutting
- Tree Protection Design
Exclusion Fencing: keeps beavers away from the feel and sound of flowing water at pinch points such as culverts or head gates
- Culvert Protection Design
Pond Levelers: lower depth upstream of dams by regulating water levels with a pipe
- Pond Leveler Design