The Penobscot Indian Nation Department of Natural Resources (PIN DNR) has received funding to replace two bridges on the Birch Stream Road in Maine with larger structures. The goal is to improve fish passage and better manage high flow events, addressing the challenges of climate change, and to find out more about how infrastructure projects like this impacts the habitat and behavior of beavers who live in the area.
This emphasis on the interaction between beaver populations and infrastructure changes recognizes the crucial role beavers play in shaping aquatic ecosystems through their dam-building activities, which maintain water levels and create wetlands. However, the introduction of new infrastructure, such as improved bridges, can disrupt these beaver-driven ecosystems.
The Northeastern States Research Cooperative (NSRC) is funding this project through its Indigenous Forest Knowledge Fund (IFKF). NSRC includes members from the University of New Hampshire, the University of Vermont, the University of Maine, the State University of New York College, the USDA Forest Service, and the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation. A Tribal External Review Committee considered each proposal for alignment with IFKF goals, clarity of project objectives, and quality of research approach and methods.
This bridge project led by the Penobscot Nation is one of six that received awards in this round of funding. In total the NSRC awarded nearly $2 million in 2024. All of the funded projects support applied forest research that aligns with Tribal priorities and traditional ecological knowledge.
A team of experts, including PIN DNR Wildlife Resource Manager Benjamin Simpson and PIN Fisheries Biologist Daniel McCaw, along with researchers from the University of Maine, is leading the bridge replacement project. The team will document how the new bridges affect beaver populations and aquatic communities. The findings will provide insights into better managing beaver populations in the region.
The project underscores the importance of considering wildlife in infrastructure development. The research outcomes will guide future projects, ensuring a balanced approach that meets both human and ecological needs.