Because the beaver isn't just an animal; it's an ecosystem!

Month: November 2016

Eager Education

Beavers November 5, 2016

Time from some more wonderful beaver promotion by “Sammy the Salmon” who really needs to swim to a beaver festival some day.

Learn ‘All About Beavers’ at NW Stream Center

dsc_0564The Adopt A Stream Foundation is hosting “All About Beavers” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Northwest Stream Center. “All About Beavers” includes a showing of the IMAX movie “Beavers,” followed by a presentation on beaver habits, habitat requirements and physiology.

Sammy the Salmon will kick off the show by explaining why beaver dams are beneficial to a wide range of wildlife, including salmon and trout. Following Sammy’s presentation will be a showing of the movie “Beavers.”sammy-the-salmon

“The whole family will enjoy the ‘Beavers’ movie,” said Adopt-A-Stream Foundation Director Tom Murdoch. “Everyone will be able to take a virtual swim with beavers and experience the beautiful underwater habitat of one of natures greatest engineers.”

This 31-minute movie is set in pristine forest and lakes that are in the heart of the Canadskullsian Rocky Mountains. The film follows the lives of a family of beavers.

Watch baby beavers (kits) grow, play and, along with their parents, transform the world around them.

After the movie, Murdoch will answer questions from the audience about beavers. He will be assisted by “Fred the Head” (the skull of a 69 pound beaver) during the Q&A.

I’m always happy about regional beaver education, and exceptionally happy to hear salmon talking about how great beavers are for them. But the child psychologist in me thinks these little names get old pretty fast. Sammy the salmon. Fred the Head. Barney the Beaver. Trent the Trout. Wendy the Waterfowl.

Tucker the Trapper.

I mean REALLY, is that the only way you can think of to get a child’s attention? kids with kitspaintingbeaverpainting collageflagkids

 

 

Guiding Principals

Beavers November 4, 2016

The meeting with the principal went well but you can tell it was exhausting. When do I ever wake up at 7:15? He’s very interested in the role beavers could play in the curriculum and likes the idea of using trail cams to help students observe and study a la our friends at ROEP. (The creek is far too incised for student field studies). He specifically wondered  whether beavers can fit with the guidelines for Life Sciences.

I dunno, what do you think?

MS-LS24 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on recognizing patterns in data and making warranted inferences about changes in populations, and on evaluating empirical evidence supporting arguments about changes to ecosystems.

I came home and found three states where beavers are already written into this curriculum. Usually involving expensive field trips to beaver habitat. Where as our very thoughtful beavers brought the science to them. 🙂

It was so stressful trying to represent beavers and not look too insane at my very own junior high school that I came home and relaxed with graphics. I’m almost satisfied with this. It might need a kit. What do you think?

backlessOr this…

better

 

Colorado Callings

Beavers, Beavers and Birds, Beavers and climate change, Beavers and Forests, Beavers and Frogs, Beavers and Insects, Beavers and salmon, Beavers and trout, Beavers and water, Beavers elsewhere, Creative Solutions, Educational, Environmental, Friends of Martinez Beavers, Who's saving beavers now? November 3, 2016

You really should watch this. It was a piece of work to put together, I can promise. But I’m fairly cheered  with the result, and with the tech help from Powtoon who for some reason answer questions IMMEDIATELY and at night even if I’m using the free version. Thank you.

Now that you’re informed, maybe you’re looking to share what you know? How about a career in beaver education? Beaver Ponds in Colorado is looking for a new executive director.

bpJob Description:

Beaver Ponds – www.beaverponds.org – is a young, 501c3 non-profit that began operations in October 2012.

Beaver Ponds mission is to provide environmental education that gives individuals of all ages the tools and knowledge to become better stewards of the earth. Its vision is to become a leading environmental education center inspiring action to protect and improve the environment.

Beaver Ponds serves individuals of all ages in its experiential field-classroom setting. A significant portion of Beaver Ponds’ initiatives are developing programs that will educate young people on how to be better stewards of the earth. Schools visit Beaver Ponds to enhance science lessons through hands-on experiences in ways that strive to meet Colorado State Education Standards.

Beaver Ponds focuses on 6 program areas:
1. Beaver Ecology
2. Watershed Ecology & Stewardship
3. Sustainable Agriculture, Greenhouses & Gardening
4. Medicinal & Native Plants
5. Renewable Energy Systems
6. Healthy Forest Management

That’s right. You could get PAID for doing what I do every day for free. Who knew? The job is is in Park Co Colorado between Fairway and Alma and the center is at a cool 10,200 feet elevation. Altitude sickness might be a issue. When I was in Cuzco, Peru (11,200) a million years ago  I was sick as a dog for a while. But hey, its for beavers. You can do it for beavers, right?

sherri worth a damOf course the added bonus is that Sherri Tippie is 90 minutes away!  Wouldn’t it be fun  to do donuts and coffee every saturday?

This morning I’m off to meet with the Junior High principal to talk about his new neighbors. Flashbacks to 7th grade might be an issue. But hey, its for beavers. I can do it for beavers. right?

State of the Beaver 2017

Beaver Conference, Beavers and Birds, Beavers and climate change, Beavers and Forests, Beavers and Frogs, Beavers and Insects, Beavers and salmon, Beavers and trout, Beavers and water, Beavers elsewhere, Creative Solutions, Educational, Environmental, Who's saving beavers now? November 2, 2016