Mel helped with plant identification resources for field preparation, collecting data on habitat quality, and researching Michigan policy on beaver to provide resources for community members & local environment stewards. Previously, Mel worked as a research assistant for biodiversity monitoring in regenerative agriculture, restoring native warm season grasslands, and working in a dendrochronology lab. Her interests include surfing the Great Lakes, traveling, and observing wildlife.

TSN Conference 2026

January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 3:05 pm – 4:05 pm // Room 106 // Beaver-Human Coexistence: Dam Worth It! // Beaver are ecosystem engineers that alter the physical structure of riparian ecosystems and create new wetland habitats. Humans and other species benefit from the many ecosystem services beaver and their wetlands provide, including increases in biodiversity, water quality, carbon sequestration, and fire and drought resistance. Historically extirpated from Lower Michigan, beaver are now returning and bringing their many ecological benefits with them. However, beaver alteration of the landscape can cause conflict with human infrastructure and land use. Our project seeks to address these conflicts by providing science-based coexistence strategies. We utilized the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool to predict where beavers are likely to colonize, performed a policy analysis to assess current beaver regulations, and engaged with land managers and property owners to understand current challenges and provide recommendations for coexistence strategies.