Beaver Management Plan

Beaver Management Plan Committee

The Beaver Management Plan Committee's (BMPC) purpose is to provide input to the DNR during the development of an updated beaver management plan, ultimately resulting in a plan with broad public and scientific support. While purely an advisory committee, its membership will help the DNR better understand the diverse public interests surrounding beavers in Wisconsin. 

Members will be selected following an application and invitation process this spring. Members will represent one of the following interests: trapping organizations, fishing and cold-water organizations, wetland and habitat organizations, environmental organizations, beaver conservation/education organizations and agricultural organizations. One additional stakeholder seat is available for a qualified organization or individual that has a unique perspective on beaver management but does not fall into the broad interest groups described below. In addition to these stakeholder seats, there will also be representation by other government agencies, the tribes and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. 

Stakeholder Group Definitions: 

• Hunting and Trapping Interests: Organizations whose mission includes ensuring the hunting and trapping heritage in Wisconsin remains strong while embracing changing societal values, specifically promoting the use of regulated harvest as a primary tool to manage wildlife species.
• Fishing/Coldwater: Organizations whose mission includes a focus on the conservation, protection and restoration of coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.
• Wetlands/Habitat: Organizations whose mission includes the protection, restoration and enjoyment of wetlands and associated ecosystems.
• Environmental Interests: Organizations whose mission includes ensuring the sustainability of wildlife and wildlife habitats in Wisconsin, specifically promoting beaver-related coexistence as part of maintaining healthy ecosystems and natural landscapes.
• Conservation Education Interests: Organizations whose mission includes the conservation of wildlife in Wisconsin through science-based management and educational outreach, specifically promoting sound science in wildlife management decision-making and sharing science-based public educational outreach on beavers.
• At-Large Stakeholder Interests: Available to any Wisconsin organizations or residents who are generally interested in and/or affected by beavers and beaver management (as detailed on their application and determined by the department). It is expected these members would provide viewpoints that may not be captured by other organizations representing specific interests.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Beaver Management Plan Committee, please fill out an online application by June 20. All applications will be reviewed, and selected members will be notified by DNR staff. 

To learn more about the BMPC's purpose, membership and specifications, check out the committee charter [PDF]. For those who prefer to review the application in advance and/or fill out the application by hand, please check out the blank BMPC application [PDF].

Applications can be submitted through the online application form, emailed to Shawn.Rossler@wisconsin.gov or printed and mailed to:

Wisconsin DNR - Attn. Shawn Rossler
Wisconsin DNR WM/6, PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921

Once the first committee meeting is scheduled, information (including copies of the agenda, meeting details and more) will be shared with the public. 

Public Input

The DNR is planning to collect public input to inform the beaver management plan update process. Below is a list of public input opportunities offered during updates of other species management plans. A complete list of input opportunities related to beaver management will be provided on this webpage once a schedule has been finalized.

Scientific Assessments Of Public Opinions Towards Beavers

The DNR initiated a scientific survey of Wisconsinites' attitudes toward beaver and beaver management in November of 2024. Survey results will be available in the summer of 2025.

Public Questionnaire

The DNR will be developing an online public input questionnaire to collect all interested individuals' input on beaver management, but the dates haven't been decided yet. A summary of the data collected will also be made available to the public, and staff will present it to the Beaver Management Plan Committee.

Open Houses

To give the public more opportunities to learn about the plan and talk with staff directly, the DNR will host 4-5 public open houses over the Beaver Management Plan. The dates and locations will be posted here once scheduled.

Public Comment Period

The DNR will also hold public comment periods where the public can share their feedback on the draft plan (once available). To make the input process accessible to all, the public will be able to submit comments in a variety of formats, including email, mail and through an online submission tool. Additionally, the DNR will host Listening Sessions during the comment period for the public to share their comments verbally. More information on those opportunities will be added to this page as we reach that stage in the update process.

After the comment period is closed, staff will review every comment and take them into consideration for the beaver management plan. A summary of the comments will be available for the public.