The Beaver Manifesto: Conservation, Conflict, and the Future of Wetlands

by Glynnis A. Hood

A compelling book that explores the conflict between beavers and human development, urging us to rethink our approach to environmental management.



In this intriguing little book, Glynnis Hood tells the remarkable story of beavers—nature’s architects and a keystone species that has survived ice ages, droughts, the fur trade, and urbanization. Known for creating and maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, beavers are beloved by conservationists but often clash with urban and industrial development. This conflict highlights a deep-rooted tension in how we view and manage nature.



Hood examines why the beaver, one of the few species that refuses to conform to human rules, is at odds with our desire to control the environment. Despite their role in enriching biodiversity and supporting ecosystems, beavers are often seen as a “problem.” Hood calls for a fundamental shift in how we approach environmental conflicts—especially those involving wildlife like the beaver.



Through engaging research and insightful analysis, The Beaver Manifesto challenges readers to rethink our relationship with the environment. Should we keep fighting nature’s designs, or is it time to adapt to its needs? With fresh perspectives on conservation and stewardship, this book is essential for anyone interested in environmental science, natural history, and wildlife protection. It offers a powerful exploration of how we can learn from beavers and reshape our approach to living with nature.

152 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

Glynnis Hood has worked in various protected areas throughout western Canada and into the Subarctic region and boreal plains. She served 19 years with Parks Canada initially as a national park interpreter and then as a park warden, with postings at Banff, Jasper, Waterton Lakes, Wood Buffalo, and Elk Island National Parks. Glynnis completed a MSc on human impacts on grizzly bear habitat availability, a PhD on beaver ecology and management, and is a professor emerita at the University of Alberta's Augustana Campus and an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan. She lives in the Beaver Hills region of east-central Alberta, with three beaver lodges as her closest neighbours.

[Adapted from Rocky Mountain Books author page: https://rmbooks.com/book-author/glynn...]

Reviews

[Jess]

cheeky lil guys, these beavers

[Andrew Giannini]

No notes. 5/5

[Andrew]

Beavers are a force for good! And we should work with them, maybe even for them?

[999]

I like beavers and ideally would become one. So this was a good read for me.

[Annie]

Glynnis is truly an icon.

[Whitney Butler]

3.5. interesting enough. very local which is cool. this is an article pretending to be a book though. and i hoped it would be more about beaver’s behaviour and ecology, but it was more about human - beaver interactions.

[Coates]

We drain a landscape; beavers build a dam and bring the water back.