Beavers are the secret landscape architects of the natural world—yet they nearly vanished forever. Thanks to conservation efforts, their populations are recovering. Together with Planet Wild, we are now transforming a decommissioned fish farm into a beaver paradise to ensure their survival and peaceful coexistence with humans.
Beavers are extraordinary ecosystem engineers
By building dams, digging canals and keeping water in the landscape, they can transform dry land into thriving wetlands full of biodiversity. But they were nearly wiped out. Over a period of 200 years, 99.9% of the world’s beavers were hunted and killed. Thanks to unconventional conservation methods, they have since made an extraordinary comeback. In Poland alone, a population considered functionally extinct in the wild just 70 years ago has grown to more than 100,000 individuals. We have been helping secure that comeback.
Planet Wild has joined us in this effort
With this mission, together with our partner Fundacja dla Klimatu i Bioróżnorodności (foundation for climate protection and biodiversity) we will purchase a 20-hectare abandoned fish farm in Poland to turn it into a beaver paradise. But bringing them back also means fostering peaceful coexistence with humans, as beavers can flood agricultural fields, block drainage ditches and damage valuable trees. That is why Planet Wild has also funded the planting of 9000 willow trees, one of the beavers’ preferred food sources, and provides protection material for 300 trees. In the long term, their support will positively impact around 400 hectares of surrounding land. The purchase is now being processed in a joint funding effort of Planet Wild, Carl-Albrecht v. Treuenfels Stiftung für Feuchtgebiete and Rewilding Oder Delta.
Planet Wild is building a global community of people who care deeply about the planet. Every month, they team up with a new partner organization around the world to bring back endangered species, support our oceans, and restore forests. Planet Wild’s work is made possible by the contributions of its community members. All projects are documented through monthly video reports to show the community how they’re protecting nature. If you’re interested in supporting environmental projects around the world, visit their website and become a member.
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