The Point Reyes Mountain Beaver: The Natural History of an Ecosystem Engineer

Join us for another Brown Bag Lunch Talk on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 as Alan Shabel, Director of the Point Reyes Field Station and Continuing Lecturer at UC Berkeley, shares insights into the natural history of the elusive Point Reyes Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia rufa phaea), a little-seen resident of Point Reyes National Seashore.

Drawing on a three-year collaboration between UC Berkeley and the National Park Service, this presentation will explore the mountain beaver's distribution, habitat requirements, and surprising role as an ecosystem engineer. Learn how its burrows support a diverse community of wildlife and contribute to the health of local ecosystems.