Join us ! Structure, missions and involvement.

Our work is organized around six complementary areas, from fieldwork to public awareness.

• Observation — directly monitoring the beaver, its life, behavior and interactions with its environment.
• Information & outreach — sharing knowledge, running exhibitions, training sessions and educational activities.
• Ecological monitoring — monitoring beavers, their habitats and their development in sensitive areas.
• Inventories — precisely counting populations and mapping burrows, dams and occupied sites.
• Surveillance — identifying at-risk situations (dikes, farmland) and reporting them to the authorities.
• Protection & management — protecting the species and its habitats, and providing advice in the event of conflicts or damage.

We also organize talks, field outings, nature camps and exhibitions to promote harmonious coexistence.

BeaverWatch is a recognized player in beaver monitoring in French-speaking Switzerland, and particularly in the canton of Vaud. Our concrete missions :

• Maintain a permanent network of observers and specialists to ensure regular monitoring of populations.
• Work closely with DGE-EAU, DGE-BIODIV, SCAV, FOEN and Police faune-nature inspectors (cantonal wildlife wardens).
• Carry out initial local interventions in coordination with the relevant services.
• Carry out a detailed census of populations and habitats each year.
• Provide specific advice in the event of damage, conflicts or issues observed in the field.
• Centralize observations, keep network members informed and take part in public events (Passeport Vacances, school visits, other events).

Joining BeaverWatch means taking concrete part in fieldwork directly related to the beaver and natural habitats. You will find :

• A rewarding field activity, in direct contact with nature and an iconic species.
• Participation in concrete projects — censuses, monitoring, active habitat protection.
• Integration into a structured network recognized by cantonal and federal authorities.
• A direct contribution to protecting a species that plays a major ecological role.
• The opportunity to take an active part in field missions.
• Rediscover the pleasure of physical activity outdoors, beneficial for both body and mind.

A BeaverWatch observer is out in the field, working along watercourses. Concretely :

• Walk the watercourses in their sector on foot, on a regular basis.
• Record the signs left by the beaver — burrows, dams, tracks, gnawed wood.
• Document observations using a dedicated app (GPS Suisse app).
• Take part in the annual censuses.
• Report issues or at-risk situations to the coordinators.

Membership is open to anyone motivated, reliable and close to nature. You don't need to be a biologist — motivation matters most. We welcome in particular :

• Working professionals or retirees
• Nature enthusiasts
• Naturalists, biologists, scientists
• Anyone wishing to contribute to the knowledge and protection of the beaver
• Young people under 16 must always be accompanied by an adult

No diploma is required, but a few skills greatly help with fieldwork :

• Genuine interest in wildlife and natural habitats
• Good physical fitness — observations are made on foot, sometimes over several kilometers
• A good sense of direction and comfort with reading maps and basic computer tools
• Rigor and precision when recording data
• Respect, courtesy and a sense of responsibility
• Compliance with the safety rules in place and the use of personal protective equipment

For supporting members, no technical skills are needed — your motivation is enough.

The association is open to everyone, from a very young age. However, for safety reasons, people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult during field activities.

A Junior membership fee (CHF 10.– / year) is available for under-18s, and a Family membership fee (CHF 50.– / year) covers the whole household.

All our active members benefit from support and resources to help them move forward with confidence :

• Support from experienced sector coordinators
• Specific training on beaver monitoring and the use of recording tools
• Field equipment (olive-green sweatshirt with logo, appropriate safety gear)
• Official authorizations in certain situations (restricted access, vehicle access permit)
• Integration into a network recognized by the cantonal authorities
• Access to outings, nature activities, concrete projects and updates on the beaver's development in Switzerland