The North American beaver is a keystone species, or an organism that supports an entire biological community. However, their engineering projects can put them at odds with humans when they cause damage to roads and other human property.

In an online program hosted by Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust at 4 p.m. on March 24, Skip Lisle of Beaver Deceivers International will share what’s behind his great admiration for beavers and their ability to improve local wildlife habitat. He will explain how a device he developed called the Beaver Deceiver can allow beavers to thrive and do what beavers do, while preventing damage to human property.

Lisle holds a master’s degree in wildlife management from the University of Maine. In addition to the Beaver Deceiver, he has also invented devices for manipulating the flow of water and deterring beavers from behavior that would put them in conflict with humans. Lisle has worked extensively throughout the U.S. and in Europe and has collaborated with the Penobscot Indian Nation on a large-scale beaver management program. Each beaver situation he sees is unique, he says, and requires fresh problem solving to ensure that both beavers and people succeed in their respective habitats.

This program is free of charge, thanks to member support. Registration is required at coastalrivers.org/events. A link will be sent to participants after registration.