Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America by Lila Philip
Often seen as a nuisance, the North American beaver is, in fact, crucial to our environment. In Beaverland, author Lila Philip follows the beaver throughout history from multiple perspectives.
Throughout this book, Philip weaves together ecology, history, and personal stories into a cohesive narrative. She meets fur trappers, scientists, environmental stewards, and passionate beaver advocates, learning from each about their perceptions of the beaver’s role in our environment.
She compares the role of indigenous peoples, who hunted beavers for meat and fur but avoided overhunting and often viewed beavers as sacred animals, alongside Europeans, who prioritized the profit of beaver pelts in the New World. This historical shift in perception of beavers coincides with what American geologists call “the great drying,” a period between 1600 and 1900 when the country’s rivers and wetlands dramatically shrank. And yet, the beaver persisted—returning from near extinction to a stable population today, thanks to conservation efforts.
The reader also learns about the ecological importance of beaver dams as a potential remedy for effects of climate change. Dams create ponds, which foster ecosystems and help manage water flow, offering possible relief from both droughts and floods.
I found this story uplifting, especially as Philip draws parallels between humans and beavers. She suggests we share common traits: when beavers want to build, they build; when they want to reshape the landscape, they do. As she writes, “beavers are the only animals apart from man that radically transform their environment.” Philip reveals how this often-misunderstood creature has significantly shaped the American landscape, economy, and culture.
Beaverland is a great read for nature lovers, biodiversity enthusiasts, historians, and anyone curious about how a rodent helped build our continent
—Hannah Gibson
Community Conservation Coordinator, Missouri Botanical Garden