Volunteer to Build Beaver Dam Analogs

Want to volunteer as a Greenbelt beaver? We need help slowing down the water that flows through our newly restored prairies at Bald Hill Farm, so join us from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, January 31st for a volunteer day of building Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) out in the prairie! BDAs use native vegetation to dam up fast flowing creeks and encourage water to braid across the landscape. We will dig and weave willow branches into water channels and encourage our wet prairies to stay even wetter.

No previous experience is necessary and builders of all ages are welcome! Tools and gloves will be provided. If you are only able to attend for part of the time, you’re still welcome to join us, just send an email to jean@greenbeltlandtrust.org to discuss.

Wear: Plan to dress for the weather with layers and rain gear. We will be working in and around small streams, so wear your waterproof rain boots!

Bring: Lunch, a water bottle, and any emergency medications you usually bring on outdoor excursions for personal use (like Epi-Pens). Some snacks will be provided.

Accessibility notes: We will hike about a half mile on trail to reach the restored wet prairie. We will then hike off trail a short distance over muddy ground to reach our BDA building sites. You should expect to be standing and moving through muddy areas, and bending over throughout the event. There is a restroom located at our parking location, but it is a short hike from the project area.

Notes for youth volunteers: Beavers of all ages are welcome but youth under the age of 14 must attend with an adult. Youth volunteers attending without their parent/guardian should contact our volunteer coordinator, Jean, to fill out a youth waiver before the event.

Location: Bald Hill Farm is located just west of Corvallis, about 15 minutes drive from downtown. Directions to the meeting location will be provided a few days before the event.