Get involved with your watershed. Check out our M.A.R.S. program for chance to help!
Watershed Guardians PO Box 634 Pocatello, ID 83204US
BC Update-Location
Location for BC 2025 on Feb 8 th:
We will be set up at the Community of Christ Church on Bannock Highway. Start times are by by color: Red = 9AM; Green=10AM; Red =9AM. We will issue your chits . This means that you MUST return to this check out and return your log sheet and chit. We will also have hot soup or chili, drinks and snacks both when you leave and you return. Each zone will be chosen by your team and are based on difficulty such as distance to travel, steepness or brushyness
Available Zones
Currently we have the following zones available for trained Flat-tailers:
- I
- IIa
- IIb
- III
- IV
- V
- VI
- VIIa
- VIIb
- VIII
- IX
- X
- XI
- XII
- XIIi
- There is till time to join up!
If you haven't registered, please do so by completing the registration form below.
Beavercount
BeaverCount
BeaverCount is Watershed Guardians' annual census of beaver activity in the Portneuf Watershed. We train volunteers in winter preparedness and how to identify beaver signs or spoor. We use the data collected to identify population trends that could reveal a collapse or near collapse of beaver population, and possibly prevent their demise.
Key facts
- You must have been trained prior to joining the Count. This will be completed by January 30th and includes the physical self assessment 1 mile snowshoe hike.
- You must be in good physical condition.
- You must work with at least one partner.
- You must register (see below).
We'll have more on this later! Check back for more details!
Summary of the Mink Creek BeaverCount
Location: Mink Creek Basin, Bannock County, Idaho.
Specific Name: South Fork, Main Stem Mink Creek
Stream length: 8.2 miles
8.3 miles
Total length: 10.5 miles Includes Bull Canyon
Management: USFS Westside Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Idaho Fish and Game, Region V, Dan Garren Regional Supervisor
Beaver Trapping: Currently restricted to 5 animals per year
Miles censused: 9.0
We have seen increased pressure in this area due to both regulated and un-regulated uses. Competing uses include grazing, irrigation and target shooting. We have petitioned the Idaho Fish and Game to close this area to trapping for the past two (four years) comment periods.
Photo Gallery
This was a little fellow we named "Tom Sawyer" He was trapped two years ago.(Gretchen Vanek)
Like a Swiss wood carver, the beaver peels the birch in smooth, single slices. We think we may be able to age the beaver by the cut-marks. Can you think of how?
Beaver Lodge on the SF Mink (ca 2018, photo: (Unknown)
You'll need a good pair of snowshoes to participate in BeaverCount. The newer shoes (not these) feature quick release bindings!
There are many options to travel to census zones. On this amazing day, the South Fork road was perfect for fat-tire biking! (Bruce Padian)
Never walk on thin ice! (Mike Settell)
BeaverCount
ththBeaverCount February 8th
Yes! It's time again for BeaverCount, when intrepid Voyagèrs emerge from their lodges and respectfully visit their furry, wet famlly guardians and check on them, see how they are doing. Registration is required. You can do that on-line up to 2 days before the count. Otherwise you may check in via text (number bottom of page). New trainees MUST sign in in person. This typically will happen on the day of the 'Count, weather permitting. We wil do a gear check after the training on 1/28. Want to count your back yard/neighborhood? Text us at our number at the bottom of the page. You may also e-mail us! Field-trained Flat-ailers REGISTER ON-LINE here
BeaverCount training on 1/25
If you've had training in the last 10 years, you can go right to the registration page. Once you register, you can rent your gear. Meet at theCherry Springs parking lot at 10:00AM for training. After registering, you can rent snowshoes and poles at the ISU Wilderness Rental Center....FREE! (Thank you George and Richard!) and so many others keep Flat-tailers on the snow). You will want to dress accordingingly. You can find out more about BeaverCount on the BeaverCount page. Please join us. It's more important than ever.
WHO NEEDS TRAINING?
- If you have NEVER BEEN to our training and would like to help us Count Activity Clusters, block out 4 hours of the last Saturday in January.
- If it has been more than 10 years (that's 2013 and earlier) you need to attend training. There are lots of options for re-certificaiton, including mentoring a college student.
Bring a friend!
Nobody likes to snowshoe alone
Did you know that you can use a dial face watch as a compass? Snowshoeing can be strenuous and it's possible to get lost, cold or both. Regardless of the situation, it's better to have a partner. We'll cover that and other tips at the training. Team sizes vary from 2 to 10. Just make sure that your team-mates and youreself have been through the training. REGISTER
BeaverCount IX
BeaverCount January 25th - February 8th-Weather permitting
Lookee there! Looks like little humanoid track!. Well, if you are lucky AND you attend BeaverCount, you might see this "spoor" or high quality evidence of beaver activity. You'll learn about your local watershed guardians or the North American Beaver. We like to give everyone a chance, including those who might not ever get into the watershed. You can help ensure that everyone who is interested can get the chance to snowshoe in our AMAZING watershed, the Portneuf River Watershed by thinking of us this coming #givingtueday, November 28th. Hopefully we'll have some more videos for you!