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Some ranchers have been waging war with beavers for decades. Now, many are reaping the benefits of allowing beavers to coexist on their land. Agee Smith, a fourth-generation rancher in Nevada whose father used to blow up beaver dams with dynamite, has reached a truce with these aquatic rodents. In fact, he says welcoming the beavers to work on his land is one of the best things he’s done. When his ranch suffered one of the worst droughts he can remember last year, the beaver pools kept his cattle with enough water. When rains came strangely hard and fast, the vast network of dams slowed a torrent of water raging down the mountain, protecting his hay crop. And his creeks have widened into wetlands that clean water, increase biodiversity and create a buffer against wildfires. It turns out, beavers can be highly skilled environmental engineers that can help fight the effects of climate change. As global warming worsens droughts, floods and wildfires, a growing number of ranchers, scientists and other “beaver believers” see the creatures as helpers. “We need to get beavers back to work,” Wade Crowfoot, California’s secretary of natural resources, said in a webinar this year. “Full employment for beavers.” Tap the link in our bio to learn more about this environmental partnership between humans and beavers. Photos by @_nikichan