Feb. 14, 2024 Update: Unfortunately, Senate Bill 5846, the beaver ecosystem management bill, stalled out in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, so it will not pass this session. This moderate legislation would have represented the first step toward a sensible statewide beaver policy by directing the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to develop a statewide beaver management plan recognizing the species’ importance as an “ecosystem engineer.” Despite support from wildlife advocacy organizations, out-of-state groups spread the lie that the bill was part of a conspiracy to end beaver trapping. But this may not be the end of the legislative effort to protect beavers. Sign up to receive updates!
