Volunteers work in June on a branch, sod and log structure intended to improve riparian habitat on Latgawa Creek to attract beavers to Vesper Meadow, near Howard Prairie Lake. Beavers maintain dams that can help improve water quality, stream flow and fish and wildlife habitat, among other benefits.

Volunteers and conservationists have been busy this fall at Vesper Meadow in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument creating dozens of in-stream log and branch structures and planting willows in an effort to attract beavers, along with the ecological benefits that beavers bring.

The privately owned Vesper Meadow property is about 1,000 acres and located in an upland area off of Dead Indian Memorial Road near Howard Prairie Lake. It’s a mix of forest, meadow, swampy patches and stream headwaters managed for conservation with the help of the Vesper Meadow Education Project, which invites biologists, students and others to observe nature up close and lend a hand if they’d like.

Four beaver-related events have taken place there this month, including tours and work projects involving several organizations, with a fifth “tour and tend” event slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to view beaver restoration structures, build in-stream structures and do plantings.

The structures, which are made of branches and sometimes logs and willow stakes, mimic the dams built by beavers. They help restore riparian habitat for beavers, which played a critical role in riparian ecology until trapping eliminated them from many watersheds.

Restoration of riparian areas increases water retention, biodiversity and fire resiliency, among other benefits. It also improves fish and wildlife habitat, along with water quality and stream flow, while protecting against floods, drought and erosion.

The Friends of the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument organization is helping to promote Saturday’s event and support efforts to bring the beaver back on the monument. Collette Streight, executive director for the organization, said beaver projects help restore habitat, improve water quality and reduce wildfire risk in a time of climate change.

“This is something we could do to make a big difference,” she said. “It meets all of our objectives and then some.”

People interested in helping out Saturday may register at the Vesper Meadow website or https://bit.ly/3rWiRDj. Space is limited. Call Stasie Maxwell at 541-631-9097 for more information.

“Hopefully some day soon,” Maxwell said, when asked if any beavers had yet located there.

Volunteers should be prepared to walk on uneven surfaces and carry up to 25 pounds. They should wear gloves, carry a water bottle and bring along a shovel if they have one.