Benefits of Urban Habitat Explored at Midwest Beaver Summit

At the recent 2025 Midwest Beaver Summit, Kristine Lorenzo, conservation projects manager at Friends of the Chicago River, facilitated an informative breakout session exploring the benefits of urban habitat for wildlife, including beavers. The well-attended summit gathered scientists, land managers, ecologists, and conservation advocates to discuss human-wildlife coexistence and the vital role of beavers in building climate resilience.

In Kristine’s session, titled “The Value of Urban Habitat and Its Multiple Benefits,” participants explored the ecological importance of urban landscapes, the distinct challenges they present, and the strategies needed to support both people and wildlife in increasingly developed areas. She emphasized how urban spaces—often overlooked as wildlife habitat—are in fact some of the most vital ecological frontiers of the Anthropocene.

Friends was one the co-hosts of the summit which was presented by the Illinois Beaver Alliance, Superior Bio-Conservancy, and Oakton College.