International Beaver Day is observed every year on April 7. The date was chosen in honor of Dorothy Richards, a woman who studied beavers for 50 years and became known as the “Beaver Woman.” This special day was created in 2009 by the non-profit group Beavers: Wetlands & Wildlife (B.W.W.) to raise awareness about these fascinating animals and their important role in nature.
Beavers are keystone species, which means their presence and behavior help support entire ecosystems. By building dams, beavers create wetlands—areas full of life that support fish, birds, insects, and plants. These wetlands also help clean water, reduce flooding, and store carbon, which makes them useful in fighting climate change.
Long ago, beavers were almost wiped out by overhunting for their fur and castoreum, a substance used in perfumes and medicines. In North America, their numbers dropped to just 10% or less of what they once were. As a result, many wetlands disappeared, leading to more erosion, water pollution, and disconnected rivers.
Today, beaver populations are recovering in some areas. Groups like B.W.W. promote coexistence with beavers by sharing helpful tools and tips, such as installing flow devices in dams to manage water levels without removing the animals. Compared to the high cost of building artificial wetlands, beavers provide these services naturally—and for free.
Celebrating International Beaver Day can be as simple as watching a nature documentary, reading a book, or taking a walk to a nearby beaver pond. Teachers, libraries, and environmental organizations also use this day to educate others about the important role beavers play in keeping our environment healthy.
By learning to live alongside beavers and protect their habitats, we also protect the land, water, and countless other species that depend on wetlands. April 7 is a perfect reminder of that.
When Is International Beaver Day Celebrated?
International Beaver Day is observed on April 7 each year. It’s a day to celebrate and learn about these hardworking creatures. Here’s when it will occur in the coming years:
| Year | Date & Day of the Week |
|---|---|
| 2025 | April 7, Monday |
| 2026 | April 7, Tuesday |
| 2027 | April 7, Wednesday |
| 2028 | April 7, Friday |
| 2029 | April 7, Saturday |
| 2030 | April 7, Sunday |
Fun Facts To Share on International Beaver Day
On International Beaver Day, take a moment to share an interesting fact about these amazing animals to spread awareness and appreciation. Here are some fun facts to celebrate:
- There are two species of beavers: the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber).
- Beavers are the second-largest rodents in the world, after capybaras. Adults can weigh up to 50 kg (110 pounds).
- They are herbivores, eating tree bark, twigs, leaves, aquatic plants, grasses, and roots.
- Beavers build dams and lodges using logs, mud, and stones, creating ponds that benefit countless species and ecosystems. Their largest known dam, in Alberta, Canada, stretches over half a mile!
- Their dams create wetlands, which are rich in biodiversity and support birds, fish, insects, and plants.
- Wetlands created by beaver dams act as natural water purifiers. They filter out pollutants and significantly improve water quality for surrounding ecosystems. They also trap pollutants, reduce erosion, and store carbon—helping to fight climate change.
- Beavers are known as “ecosystem engineers”. By creating wetlands, beavers transform landscapes into thriving habitats. These areas provide homes for fish, birds, and countless other species, significantly boosting biodiversity.
- A beaver’s teeth never stop growing, making them perfectly suited for gnawing through tough wood. Their orange color comes from a protective iron coating that also strengthens them.
- Beavers are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They work tirelessly during these hours to construct and maintain their dams and lodges.
- Beavers live in family groups, usually with a monogamous pair and their young. Older siblings help care for new kits.
- Beavers communicate through scent, sound, and behavior. They mark their territory using castoreum, a scent from glands near the tail.
- They can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes and close their ears and nostrils while diving.
- Beavers were once nearly extinct in many areas due to overhunting for fur and castoreum, but conservation efforts have helped populations rebound.
- The beaver is the national animal of Canada, representing hard work and resourcefulness.
Ways to Celebrate International Beaver Day
International Beaver Day is a great time to honor these remarkable animals and their contributions to the environment. Here are some ways to celebrate:
- Learn About Beavers: Watch documentaries or read books to discover how beavers shape ecosystems and why they’re vital to biodiversity.
- Visit Wetlands: Spend time at a local wetland or nature reserve to observe the impact of beavers firsthand. Bring binoculars to spot wildlife that thrives in these habitats.
- Support Conservation: Donate to organizations that work to protect beaver habitats or educate the public about their ecological importance.
- Create Awareness: Share facts about beavers on social media using hashtags like #InternationalBeaverDay to spread awareness.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
