Photo Credit: Mike Digout

​Cultivating Harmony: Vegetation Management for Beaver Coexistence ​

Thank you to everyone who attended our Sips 'n' Science pub talk with George Kral at Divine Distillers on February 22, 2024. Below is the full recorded presentation, ready for viewing and sharing. In addition, there are links to more information about managing vegetation for beaver, and resources that George provided for those of you interested in digging deeper into willow identification and ecology, and the relationship between willows and beaver in the Willamette Valley!

Synopsis: George Kral, owner of Scholls Valley Native Nursery, delves into the intricacies of managing vegetation to effectively coexist with beavers. He highlights strategies for attracting beavers by planting specific trees and shrubs that serve as their preferred food sources. Additionally, he explores planting techniques that can discourage beaver activity in areas where their presence is undesirable. George's observations and lessons learned over decades of practice will provide valuable insights for landowners, natural resource managers, and anyone interested in promoting sustainable coexistence between beavers and humans. By understanding beaver behavior and employing effective vegetation management strategies, we can minimize conflicts and reap the benefits of these industrious ecosystem engineers.

Thank you to Benton Soil & Water Conservation District for supporting this Sips 'n' Science production! 

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The infographic below is used with permission by
​the Tualatin River Watershed Council

Click on the image below for the most current
Scholls Valley Native Nursery Plant List

If you would like to view additional local sources of native plants and resources for planting native vegetation, click here!

In the video, George mentions a willow identification guide. Below is the report he created as a companion to this presentation, and which includes information about native Willamette Valley willows, their habitat requirements, and a guide for willow indentification. 

Also, George has provided a supplemental slideshow that further illustrates the way beavers have transformed several landscapes within the Willamette Valley. Click here to download a pdf version.

About the Speaker: George Kral spent the first decade of his career as a forester and firefighter, managing forests and burning slash in the north Coast range. In 1997, he founded Ash Creek Forest Management, and in 2003 he co-founded Scholls Valley Native Nursery with his wife Sara. After 30 years as a field forester and nursery manager, George completed a PhD in landscape genomics at Oregon State University. Today, George actively manages nursery operations and horticultural systems development at their farm in western Washington County.