Calgary’s first Beaver Fest, organized by Land Lovers Network, brought conservation groups, educators, and community members together to celebrate beavers and raise awareness about protecting them.

Attendees gathered at Vista Point in North Glenmore Park in mid-October to talk about beavers’ roles in Alberta.

Land Lovers Network said a healthy beaver habitat can help communities think differently about major water challenges in Southern Alberta, such as drought, flooding, and wildfires.

Additionally, beaver dams slow and store water, create wetlands, provide habitats for wildlife, support biodiversity, and filter water, making it even more important to protect beaver populations.

Two people sitting in red chairs enjoying the view at the Glenmore Reservoir. They were attending the Calgary Beaver Festival at Vista Point, North Glenmore Park, on Oct. 17, 2026. PHOTO: BROOK VAN HAM, CALGARY JOURNAL
  • Lisa Dahlseide (left) and Ray Hawkins (right) with the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society standing at their booth. They are talking to the community about conservation during Calgary’s Beaver Festival, located at Vista Point, North Glenmore Park, on Oct.17, 2026. PHOTO: BROOK VAN HAM, CALGARY JOURNAL
  • A young girl stretching her arms out in front of the Glenmore Reservoir at Vista Point, North Glenmore Park while attending the Calgary Beaver Fest, on Oct. 17, 2026. The event was hosted by Land Lovers Network. PHOTO: BROOK VAN HAM, CALGARY JOURNAL
  • A tent with a stage with a local band performing at Calgary’s Beaver Festival at Vista Point, North Glenmore Park, on Oct. 17, 2026. PHOTO: BROOK VAN HAM, CALGARY JOURNAL
  • Tijana Selak with the Fur Bearers conservation group sitting at her booth for Calgary’s Beaver Festival, at Vista Point, North Glenmore Park, on Oct. 17, 2026. The event was hosted by Land Lovers Network. PHOTO: BROOK VAN HAM, CALGARY JOURNAL

However, event organizer Colin Smith said a future goal is to get the City of Calgary to adopt a new policy for relocating beavers.

“The City of Calgary euthanizes or always works against beavers and we want them here. We’re advocating for problem beavers within the city to be relocated or put into a system of temporary housing,” said Smith.

Smith and partners of the Beaver Fest event are currently working with the provincial government to develop a new policy, as it is currently illegal to translocate problem beavers.

A stage beneath a tent for bands and speakers with Land Lovers Network at The Calgary Beaver Festival at Vista Point, North Glenmore Park, on Oct. 17, 2026. PHOTO: BROOK VAN HAM, CALGARY JOURNAL

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