Activity 2.3.1 - Ranchers, Anglers, and Beavers

1. Exploratory

Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the video and article. (What research evidence supports _________?Type up several facts and basic knowledge from the video & article. Relate this to what you find in other resources, prior activities for stronger scores.))

When reading the article, “Restoring streamside vegetation using grazing and beavers” by Kurt Fensenmyer and watching the video, “Tipping the Hat” from Trout Unlimited allowed me to develop an insight on the true story of this foundation. I did my research personally and found out that Trout Unlimited has interests in caring for and recovering rivers, especially having to do with the wildlife of trout and salmon. Also, according to their website their main goal and vision is to engage America into working on repairing/renewing waters on which we all depend. The main viewpoint on the article was to restore streamside vegetation using grazing and beavers. According to the article, “Land managers are increasingly turning to two natural approaches to restore degraded riparian areas and improve stream habitats, a one-two punch involving grazing management and beaver” (Fesenmyer 1). By using natural resources, it allows no harm to be put towards the environment and also finding new and efficient ways for protecting the animal habitat. Overall, the comparison to findings from prior activities in this Environmental Science course and now have similarities within improving the environment.

2. Diagnostic

Probe motives or causes. (Why?(Tell your reader why this occurs. Explain the causes in detail.))

The detailed reason as to why restoring streamside vegetation by using grazing and beavers is simple. Grazing is a method where livestock is allowed to roam around and consume wild vegetation. According to the article, “Conservation-oriented grazing approaches are increasingly valued for their ability to allow vegetation to establish and recover from grazing, especially in riparian zones… Conservation-oriented grazing is all about timing and intensity” (Fesenmeyer 1). Overall, grazing brings a great establishment while providing the necessary actions to allow things to become sustainable. Beavers are a big part of recovery for streamside vegetation and provide moisture for vegetation all year round. According to the article, “And while there has been increasing appreciation for the role of beaver, and even simulated beaver activity, as a restoration tool, the new study sheds light on the importance of conservation-oriented grazing as a pre-condition for beaver colonization” (Fesenmeyer 1). Beavers accelerate the recovery of the vegetation and help keep their role intact. Overall, both grazing and beavers play an important role as to why their actions occur for a better solution.

 

3. Cause and Effect

Causal relationships between ideas, actions, or events. (If __________ occurs, what happens?)

Allowing beavers and grazing to become the solution and positive impact on improving vegetation is what occurs. When allowing a positive impact through natural resources, it can cause an even more positive effect that normally something wouldn't do. Say for example if you come up with a way to improve vegetation, while it is affecting the environment in a negative way it wont have the same personal affect. The owner of this establishment, “Trout Unlimited,” comes up with ways to not only benefit themselves but also the environment. Knowing their story and truly learning about how vegetation increases with positive impacts with grazing and beavers is very impactful. Overall, by also knowing there are farmers out there looking to create a safe and positive impact is what allows people around them to do the same. 

4. Priority

Seek to identify the most important issue. (What is the most important issue?)

The most important issue having to do with vegetation is coming up with simplistic ways and safe as well to provide for the environment. That is why the description in the article title and the motive in the video is to inform on how those farmers are strategizing. By strategizing, I mean coming up with ways which are environmentally safe to provide good not only for their establishment but for the environment as well. You see in the video how much time and effort the family puts into their land. When I had read the article, I had also scrolled through their website and found out many different things they do to try and help the environment. They see it as a purpose to try and provide for their family but also within animals' natural habitats. Beavers for example help them with their outlooks within streams and then that proceeds to help their vegetation. Overall, the important issue is simple and when learning more about this activity, 

 

 

5. Application

Probe for relationships and connect theory to practice. (How does this apply to you? How is this related to culture as we have studied so far?)

Throughout this Environmental Science course, it has allowed me to view many aspects on how to keep the environment a better and safer place not only for us humans but animals habitats as well. From what I have studied so far throughout this course and up until now, it has applied to me in so many ways and throughout my daily routine. I have noticed a change in myself for bettering the environment by simply recycling or reading up on what new ways the environment won't be affected in a negative way. This is related to the culture we have studied so far because it connects with methods to help improve the environment through natural resources. Overall, in the course we have learned about many important things and it has opened my eyes within the environmental science world to help those around us including the environment.

6. Critical

Analyze how this challenges your thinking/assumptions. (How did this change your thinking? Did it? Why?)

When reading the article and watching the video on grazing and beavers restoring vegetation, it allowed me to change my thinking on how important this aspect is. The recognition that has been received by implementing conservation oriented methods to allow their land and the beauty of nature to be restored is intriguing. Personally, I never really understood how important these methods are when having land because I never owned any land myself. But in the midst of reading the article and how many positive outcomes are received when these methods are taken upon action is fulfilling. It changed my thinking in a way where actually reading about these descriptions on how vegetation is important and allows farmers to create a great sense of work environment for their establishment. Overall, reading about this method and really identifying why this is environmentally important on positive effects towards the earth naturally was educationally intriguing. 

 

 

 

 

Work Cited:

Fesenmyer, K. (2016). Restoring streamside vegetation using grazing and beavers. Trout Unlimited. https://www.tu.org/magazine/science/restoring-streamside-vegetation-using-grazing-and-beavers

    Fesenmyer, K. A, Dauwalter, D. C., Evans, C., & Allai, T. (2018). Livestock management, beaver, and climate influences on riparian vegetation in a semi-arid landscape. PLoS ONE 13(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208928