California faces some of the most severe water challenges in the United States. From long-lasting droughts and devastating wildfires to seasonal flooding, the state is constantly battling the extremes of climate change. In the middle of this struggle, one surprising ally has emerged—the beaver. Often misunderstood as simple dam-builders, beavers…
California is renowned for its staggering diversity of plants and animals — and nowhere is that diversity more vulnerable or more essential than in its wetland ecosystems. Wetlands — including marshes, swamps, riparian zones, vernal pools, estuaries, and floodplain meadows — are among the most biodiverse and threatened habitats in…