Dr. Dittbrenner joined SEFS this fall as the newest member of our teaching faculty, making his way back to the Pacific Northwest and his alma mater. Most recently Dr. Dittbrenner was at Northeastern University in Boston where he taught courses in stream ecology, wetland ecology, ecosystem management, environmental science and sustainability. 

His teaching and research focus on forest, riparian and wetland ecosystems, with particular interest in how climate change and land use shape ecological processes and management strategies. His work has emphasized the role of beavers as ecosystem engineers and their potential to enhance hydrologic resilience, restore riparian systems, and support biodiversity under a changing climate.

We’re all very excited to welcome Dr. Dittbrenner back to the Pacific Northwest and SEFS!

This autumn marked your return to the UW and the Pacific Northwest. You were a PhD candidate right here at SEFS, co-founded the not for profit Beavers Northwest and spent time as a research fellow at the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. How has it felt to be back here now that we’re about halfway through autumn quarter?

Benjamin Dittbrenner: It’s been wonderful to be back in the Pacific Northwest. It’s such a special place, full of natural beauty, creative energy, and opportunities to do meaningful work. Returning to SEFS feels like a mix of new beginnings and familiar rhythms. While I’m stepping into a new role, there’s also a sense of continuity with my earlier time here as a student and researcher. It’s been especially enjoyable reconnecting with the community, re-engaging in fieldwork, and contributing to new and existing courses. There’s something deeply satisfying about coming full circle and helping the next generation of SEFS students build the same sense of place and purpose that inspired me here years ago.

Do you get a lot of beaver tchotchkes as gifts? If yes, where do you put them on display? If not, what can someone do to fix this? Do you have a wish list / registry set up somewhere?

BD: You have no idea! Yes, beaver gifts have become something of a theme over the years! I’ve received everything from socks and mugs to carved wooden figurines. I think we had at least 20 beaver plushies, however, after we adopted a puppy a couple years ago there has been some unintended ‘predation’, so numbers are down. The beaver swag tends to find its way into my office and has formed an accidental little “beaver shrine” on my bookshelves. It’s a great conversation starter with students and colleagues. At this point, it’s safe to say that the beaver registry is closed, that is unless anyone happens to come across a particularly dignified beaver bobblehead.

What courses are you most excited to teach this year? What would you share with students curious about your teaching and your approach to teaching?

BD: I’m excited about all of the courses I’ll be teaching this year, but especially ESRM 304. I’m currently co-teaching 304 with Julie Larson, and we’ve been redesigning parts of the class to take better advantage of the Union Bay Natural Area. That shift lets us spend less time commuting and more time outdoors practicing real field methods. I love teaching in the field; it’s where students really connect theory with hands-on experience.

I’m also looking forward to teaching the two-quarter Capstone sequence in winter and spring. We will be working with local partners in a service-learning approach. This class offers rich opportunities for mentorship and applied research, and we already have some fantastic student projects lined up. Overall, my teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning, collaboration, and helping students build confidence as scientists and problem-solvers. These two classes really complement that focus and I’m excited to dig in with students.

What are some of the things you missed most about the PNW while you were living and teaching on the east coast? Anything you’re looking forward to doing now that you’re back?

BD: Anyone who’s spent real time in the Pacific Northwest knows how hard it is to stay away. I’ve missed the mountains, the forests, and the feeling of being able to go from city life to wild landscapes in under an hour. I’m eager to get back into the Cascades for hiking and skiing and to spend more time sailing in the Puget Sound and exploring the San Juan Islands. Beyond recreation, I’ve missed the unique ecosystems of this region and the sense of community around conservation and restoration work. It feels great to be back teaching and doing fieldwork in the landscapes that first inspired me.