Riverscape Restoration

Healthy streams benefit many user groups and resources, such as wildlife, agriculture, and recreation. However, streams in the West are often degraded, which can sometimes be attributed to the removal of beaver from ecosystems.

The environmental benefits of beaver activity are well documented. Beavers’ impacts include:

• Creating aquatic and riparian habitats

• Providing hydrological connectivity

• Reducing erosion

• Controlling sediments

• Reducing runoff and floods

Beaver recolonization in degraded streams may not always be successful or feasible, but low-tech restoration tools—such as human-made beaver dams—are a means to achieve the environmental benefits of beaver.

Affordable, simple, and effective, the utilization of low-tech tools for restoration is an option that more and more groups are using in their restoration efforts.

There is a growing movement across the western US to restore riverscapes by catalyzing natural ecological processes. Check out this map to see where Sageland Collaborative and other groups are restoring streams!

In addition to improving the health of these degraded areas, these low-tech restoration activities also pave the way for successful beaver re-establishment. To make this a reality, our dedicated volunteers join us for hands-on restoration work in Utah’s degraded streams. It’s a fun day outdoors and no experience or prior training is necessary.

Volunteer Signups

The 2024 Riverscape Restoration season has come to a close. Please sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date on opportunities to get involved.

If you’re looking to plan a group volunteer day or have questions about partnerships, please reach out to Rose Smith to coordinate.

Support Utah’s riverscapes and the wildlife that rely on riparian habitats by donating today.

At a Glance

Field Season: August - October

Training Required? No, and no experience necessary.

Age: All ages are welcome, but projects are not suited for children under 10 years old. Volunteers under 18 years old require a guardian’s signature and those under 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Commitment Level: Day-long projects working outdoors.

Requirements: Work will be in and around streams, requiring lifting objects, walking over uneven surfaces, and doing other physical work as you are able. Please contact us for questions about accessibility and potential accommodations.

Signups: Sign up to join a day under “Volunteer Signups”. For queries about planning group volunteer days, please contact Rose Smith.

Contact: Please email us with project questions.

Riverscape Restoration Updates

Notes on COVID-19

We have created a safety protocol in an effort to keep staff and volunteers safe. During COVID spikes, staff and volunteers are required to follow these guidelines when volunteering in the field with us. We will include any needed COVID information in emails we send up after you sign up for a project.