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In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with ecohydrologist Emily Fairfax of the University of Minnesota to talk about an animal that quietly reshapes entire landscapes: the beaver.

What begins as a conversation about hydrology and water quickly becomes a deep look at how beavers function as true ecosystem engineers. Emily explains how their dams slow water, restore wetlands, create wildlife habitat, and even build natural resilience to wildfire.

Scott and Emily also explore common misconceptions about beavers, why they are often misunderstood, and how their impact can be seen everywhere from deserts to places like Yellowstone National Park. The discussion reveals how a single species can influence forests, rivers, wildlife, and entire communities in ways most of us never notice.

This is an episode about water, wilderness, and why one of North America’s largest rodents may be one of its most important conservation partners.

Learn more about Emily’s work at the University of Minnesota.

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