US Forest Service Hydrologist Suzanne Fouty discusses beaver, aspen, and groundwater storage in riparian habitat.
Suzanne Fouty is the hydrologist for the Whitman Ranger District on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. She has been working on a project to reintroduce beaver to Camp and Gimlet creeks, and we helped her complete an aspen sapling survey in new elk and cattle exclosures. Suzanne hopes that by protecting aspen in these systems, she can ensure a vital food and wood source for beaver when they arrive. The Westies measured over 6,000 aspen suckers—small saplings under 36 inches—in 2 days, contributing over 400 human-hours to the restoration project.