US West deploys beaver 'starter homes' to combat drought and restore watersheds

Conservationists across the American West are installing artificial beaver dams and 'starter homes' to attract beavers, aiming to restore riparian ecosystems and mitigate drought effects. The approach leverages natural engineering to slow water flow and raise water tables, though long-term efficacy and beaver adoption rates remain uncertain. This marks a notable shift toward nature-based climate adaptation in water-stressed regions.