State of the Beaver Conference: Update

heidi08 Beavers elsewhere, Beavers or Social Ambasadors, Creative Solutions March 16, 2010

Beaver Friend Leonard Houston, the chair of SURCP who worked tirelessly for this years “State of the beaver” conference in February, was so inspired by Brock’s description of the salmonid restoration conference he had to write a summary of his own. Here’s a little taste of the wonders he and the others brought to the beaver table.

State of the Beaver 2010, After Shock

The February 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th, State of the Beaver Conference hosted by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Indian Tribe , co-hosted by the South Umpqua Rural Community Partnership’s, Beaver Advocacy Committee and The Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers at the Seven Feathers Resort and Convention Center can be viewed as a tail splashing success.

From the Tribal welcome by Steven Rondeau of the Cow Creek Indians, to Leonard Houston of the Beaver Advocacy Committee’s opening speech, the conference took on a life of it’s own. Dr. John Hadidian, Director of the Urban Wildlife Program, of the Humane Society of the United States was first at the podium where he took us on a journey back in time, from early American beaver management to current human animal interactions. His presentation was not only inspiring but thought provoking as he challenges us to find non-lethal techniques to deal with beaver issues that we might enjoy beaver benefits.

Following Dr. Hadidian, from Norway, Dr. Duncan Halley of the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research took us to Europe where we learned of the beavers reconquest. Duncan taught us how conflicting human / human issues are more the forefront than human / animal issues.He also taught us how those issues have been resolved, allowing beaver reintroduction which has been successful throughout most of Europe. Dr. Halley spoke again as keynote presenter at the Beaver Banquet once again taking us world wide with human animal conflicts and the human resolutions in order to preserve wildlife and protect human interest.

Beavers and salmonid production was brought to life and light, by scientist Dr. Michael Pollock of NOAA. Michael is a well known research ecologist recognized as the foremost expert on west coast salmonid production and the relationship to beavers.Continuing the beaver, fisheries relationship, Jeff Rodgers accredited designer of the Oregon Coastal Coho Conservation Plan, appendix 3, and representing the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, beaver workgroup shared with us his research, and how beavers positively impact salmonid production.

Completing day one was Dr. DeWaine Jackson, of the ODFW presenting the Pilot Study of beaver translocation efforts here in the Umpqua Basin’s. DeWaine is the lead researcher for the entire project which encompasses both forks of the Umpqua.

Day two began with a new and exciting project utilizing a fish hatchery as a beaver nursery to hold captive beavers until family units are established before release. Kent Woodruff was kind enough to present this collaborative effort partnering agency and the Yakima Indian Tribe of the Okanagan Region of Washington.

Dr. Suzanne Fouty a fluvial geomorphologist showed us that beavers radically modify degraded stream systems, collecting sediment and recharging aquifers while elevating water tables. Her presentation was both scientific and passionate displaying a side of science seldom seen and richly rewarding.

Greg Jaclke an ODFW biologist then taught us of the past and present beaver management practices in the John Day River Basin in north central Oregon. Greg has an acute understanding of people and beavers with a promising future in beaver ecology.

Sherri Tippie of Wildlife 2000 then took us on a 24 year slide show of how she has moved over a thousand beavers. Sherri is a licensed beaver translocator by the state of Colorado and a true pioneer in beaver reintroduction.

Skip Lisle owner operator of Beaver Deceivers International then showed us how a wide array of his non-lethal management devices save beavers lives while allowing us to enjoy the many beaver benefits. Skip was another dual presenter hosting a four hour workshop on building and installing beaver deceivers and flow control devices. Skip was followed by Stephanie Boyles of the Humane Society of the United States on the cost and efficacy of Skips devices. Stephanie’s presentation showed how the state of Virginia hired Skip to install his devices in areas of beaver roadway conflict and how those installation and maintenance costs compared to prior costs associated with the same sites, it was nothing short of amazing.

Lewis Pence a retired Idaho Soil and Water Conservationist taught us how he used beavers to restore degraded streams in the high desert country of southern Idaho, his straight forward presentation was a visual confirmation of everything we had learned so far. Following the banquet to which we were welcomed by Sue Schafer of the Cow Creeks and featured Dr. Duncan Halley as keynote presenter, the conference quickly became a networking extravaganza.

Day three began with Mary O’Brien of the Grand Canyon Trust, outlining the new Utah statewide beaver management program. Mary is a former Oregon resident who is doing amazing things in the field of beaver ecology. Dr. Jimmy Taylor of the USDA, APHIS, Supervisory Research Biologist then presented on the current research programs and beaver management policies of APHIS and his own beaver management actions. Jimmy is a very forthright and honest scientist who is actively pursuing non-lethal management techniques to enable beavers and humans to exist harmoniously and beneficially.

Following Dr. Taylor, Leonard Houston of the Beaver Advocacy committee, then took us along with the BAC and ODFW releasing and following transmitterd beavers of the Tiller Beaver Research Project, it was a first time seen presentation showing us where beavers go and what beavers do after being relocated. Leonard’s presentation then focused on future beaver plans for the South Umpqua, Elk Creek, Salmon Recovery Restoration Project and how landowners are partnering with agencies to provide habitat and home for beavers.

Steven Rondeau , Natural Resource Director of the Cow Creeks then shared the spotlight with Lewis La Chance, Cultural Resource Director of the Cow Creeks. Lewis presented telling us of how the Cow Creeks held beavers in high esteem and of great cultural significance. Steven Rondeau then talked of perspective of life and beavers focusing on how his people had survived to regain their rights and how it was similar to the plight of the beaver. Steven teaches us that when faced with incredible challenges, we can prevail.

The State of the Beaver 2010 has not only served as a powerful educational tool it has brought about a unification of agency and activist, it has created a n opportunity to work together to create a new future, one in which man and beaver exist harmoniously.

Sounds Fishy to Me!

heidi08 Creative Solutions, Environmental, Friends of Martinez Beavers March 15, 2010

Beaver friend, Brock Dolman of the OAEC (and featured speaker at John Muir Birthday Earth day!) rushed back from Redding to breathlessly describe the electric salmonid restoration conference he helped host which featured some surprisingly familiar faces. A shining star of the event was our new pal Michael Pollock talking about–you guessed it–the relationship between beavers and salmon. I don’t exactly have Brock’s permission to share the email but he didn’t exactly say not to either and I can’t be expected to keep news like this to myself. It’s THAT good!!!

Just back from an amazingly successful Salmonid Restoration Conference, where I moderated a 1/2 day session titled “Instream Flows for Salmonids” which had Michael Pollock as the final speaker. Over 200+ people packed into the room and filled every available space to hear his talk. There had been a lot of buzz being generated leading up to the session about beavers, and so lots of folks came to see & hear!! We then had an impromptu casual lunch time discussion that was open to everyone and over 60+ folks came to that as well!! All across the board there is a feeling of a swelling moment to bring beavers to the forefront of restoration!!!

Wow, think about what that means. There are watershed organizations across California worried about the salmon population. If a third of those tireless advocates became beaver believers we would be sitting on a beaver-boom town! There really could be beavers in Sonoma and Marin and Los Angelos. We really could see a day when a city or property owner has to pay a “salmon tax” to get a permit to exterminate beavers! My fondest dream is that it becomes more cost effective to live with beavers than to kill them, and the funds for that “tax” go to a public account from which cities and property owners can take out loans to help pay for the installation of flow devices and culvert blockers. Ahhh a girl can dream. You can bet Worth A Dam will be happy to play a part in the process.

Shhh….don’t tell the council!

heidi08 Uncategorized March 14, 2010

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Ahhh sometimes posts just write themselves. As seen on TV!!! I think this ad forgot to mention that it can also do wonders to increase tree LENGTH and PERFORMANCE. Go read the fun original for yourself here.

Well, did you go see it?

heidi08 Beavers or Social Ambasadors, Educational March 14, 2010

Isn’t it the prettiest bridge ever? Looks like grouting has to wait until tomorrow when Dimitry and Jon can team up again. In the mean time you should take full advantage of this gorgeous day and walk down to the beavers. It’s definitely worth seeing.

Life is becoming beaver-busy again for Worth A Dam. I will give a short phone interview today for a freelance reporter that wants to write about the bridge project. Next week I will be presenting to the Moraga Rotary club at St Mary’s College and talking about the investment Martinez made in its beavers, and illustrating how that’s paid off for the city and the habitat. Moraga is a small, wealthy town with some lovely creeks and the massive upper San Leandro Reservoir, so its a good place to preach the beaver gospel. Interestingly, it is the former employer of our current city manager, who wanted to start an RDA there as well but was forcefully re-educated. We’ll see what Martinez teaches him.

The week after that I have a interview scheduled with a New York watershed reporter who wants to do a story on beavers and beaver management. I had written her months ago trying to persuade her on the benefits of beavers in the habitat when she wrote some rather ungracious words about our beaver friend Mike Callahan. Turns out she was intrigued. She is repositioning herself as editor of the Watershed Post and feels that a story on beavers is probably a good way to start. Okay then.

The next weekend Worth A Dam will meet with our new wikipedia friend who is turning out to be a crackerjack researcher on historic beaver prevalence. He recently got interested in idea of “place names” in california with the word beaver. Might that mean that was a historic trapping area? I pointed out amusedly that there was a “Beaver Street” in Kings Beach, Tahoe. (Where they were happily killing them because “they weren’t native”, which is kinda what got us started with this whole project in the first place.) Well he contacted the historical society of Kings Beach to learn about the name, and the woman he spoke to said, that’s interesting, because my daughter discovered a beaver colony in Lexington Reservoir! Turns out she’s the mother in law of Mercury Freedom, the man who took the amazing photos of beavers in Los Gatos!

Small beaver world. But you knew that already right?

Ahhh okay, where am I. Then its April, with a second conference call for the nine and John Muir Birthday-Earth day on April 17th. The following day is a Dow watershed event that we are supposed to be at as well. Then its Wild Birds Unlimited on mother’s day and Friends of Marsh Creek which should take us to June when the Martinez Beavers will be the second monthly lecture for Close to Home’s “It’s all connected” ecological seminar series. Some where in here I think I have traded favors with a beaver friend whose involved with the preschool at the near by catholic school and will be doing the beaver dance with some perky three year olds in exchange for some leads about the history of beaver legislation in California.

Then its August and the 3rd annual Beaver Festival. Ack!!!!!!

A Bridge Apart…

heidi08 Beavers or Social Ambasadors, Creative Solutions, Tile Bridge March 12, 2010

Yesterdays tile installation was a wonder to behold. All 100+ tiles were laid by noon, and traffic was literally stopped as people slowed their cars to admire how it looked. Channel 2 came for an interview and footage, as well as the Contra Costa Times and Record.

We still have grouting and UV protection to add, but the hard part is done. Our generous contactor Dimitry Doronkin did an excellent job, but very much appreciated his hands on assistant, Worth A Dam treasurer (husband!) and beaver friend Jon. Yesterday I wasted no time writing the council, inviting them to come see for themselves, and asking for a donation to pay for this years festival art supplies! I got some positive responses, too, so we’ll see what transpires.

I was saying yesterday that designing the tile layout and counting the needed border tiles for the perimeter was one of the most challenging beaver labors my brain has faced. Its not what I generally do well. I tried begging some designers for insight, but no one felt so inclined. I was helped, oddly enough, by using scrabble tiles on a raised deluxe board (letter up: colored tiles, wood surface: border tiles) and lots and lots of repetition. Turns out my uneasy calculations were exactly correct. We had three extra tiles.

Come down and admire the artists work in all its bridge-y glory. Stop by the primary dam and see its disarray and then stroll to the footbridge to admire where the beavers have been putting all their effort. It has been a magical week aboard the beaver madness express. If there were any more room in the scrapbook, this would definitely go in it.