Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
5-8-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
5-8-2024 3:00 PM
Subjects
Geography, Beavers--Behavior
Advisor
Heejun Chang
Student Level
Masters
Abstract
The study "Beavers Beyond Boundaries: Perceptions of Beaver-Related Restoration" conducted by Matt Guziejka and Heejun Chang from the WISE Lab, Department of Geography at Portland State University, delves into the social, cultural, and environmental dimensions of Beaver-Related Restoration (BRR) within the urban setting of the Tualatin River watershed. Utilizing a voluntary survey with 187 participants across three urban watershed sites, the research aimed to analyze community perceptions concerning beavers and their impact on the environment, particularly in relation to their proximity to watercourses. Findings indicate that proximity significantly affects attitudes towards beavers, with those living closer to watercourses demonstrating more positive perceptions and a stronger inclination towards supporting beaver reintroduction. The study underscores the pivotal role of community engagement and targeted educational initiatives in fostering sustainable coexistence between urban populations and beaver populations, contributing valuable insights for the formulation of effective beaver management strategies in urban watersheds. This research was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey and funded by The Tualatin River Environmental Enhancement Grant (TREE), highlighting a collaborative effort to address the complexities of wildlife restoration in urban environments.
Creative Commons License or Rights Statement
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/41939
Included in
Beavers Beyond Boundaries: Perceptions of Beaver-Related Restoration
The study "Beavers Beyond Boundaries: Perceptions of Beaver-Related Restoration" conducted by Matt Guziejka and Heejun Chang from the WISE Lab, Department of Geography at Portland State University, delves into the social, cultural, and environmental dimensions of Beaver-Related Restoration (BRR) within the urban setting of the Tualatin River watershed. Utilizing a voluntary survey with 187 participants across three urban watershed sites, the research aimed to analyze community perceptions concerning beavers and their impact on the environment, particularly in relation to their proximity to watercourses. Findings indicate that proximity significantly affects attitudes towards beavers, with those living closer to watercourses demonstrating more positive perceptions and a stronger inclination towards supporting beaver reintroduction. The study underscores the pivotal role of community engagement and targeted educational initiatives in fostering sustainable coexistence between urban populations and beaver populations, contributing valuable insights for the formulation of effective beaver management strategies in urban watersheds. This research was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey and funded by The Tualatin River Environmental Enhancement Grant (TREE), highlighting a collaborative effort to address the complexities of wildlife restoration in urban environments.