It was very gratifying to see the Martinez Beaver story published on City Creatures blog yesterday. The nice part was that feedback trickled in all day with a generally positive reception. I thought I’d share a little with you today so that you’ll at least know you’re not alone in being forced to read it. (Which if you haven’t yet, go now!)
From the artist at the festival Amy Gallaher Hall
Wonderful story! You’re such a great writer You encapsulate the whole story so well (you lived it). xo a
From Michael Pollock of NOAA
A nice story Heidi, and congratulations on getting into the Congressional record! M
From Donna Dubreuil, director Ottawa Carlton wildlife Center Ontario
I never tire of hearing the story and end up tearing up every time. It is such an inspiration, Heidi, Donna
Barbara Patchins (recently retired coordinator of Martinez parks and recreation dept)
Heidi great article well done!
Maren Smith, MDAS Audubon newsletter
Awesome article and wonderful photos. Have forwarded to the board and our newsletter folks Thanks! Maren
Judy Atkinson Port Moody B.C.
This is a wonderful story and the experience in Martinez happened 10 before our similar experierence up here in Port Moody, British Columbia. The Martinez legacy is helping communities like mine get past the awkward introduction phase of the tolerance and acceptance and then realization that these hard working animals are a benefit to the waterways they live in!
Robin Ellison, Napa
Wonderful article on these vitally important creatures to the planet and the importance of coexistence. Thanks very much for printing!
Donna Beth Weilenman (Martinez News Gazette)
What a fabulous account of how things got started! I’d like to give it a little plug in the paper so that folks read it!
I also heard from Ben Goldfarb but I don’t have his email his which is at home. He said congratulations and that his favorite part was community milestone paragraph at the end, Probably me too,
To this day, the beavers remain the best-known thing that ever happened in my town. Two documentaries and three books have told the story, and we were entered into the national Congressional Record. When I walk to the creek, I still meet people asking about the beavers. There are several high school graduates who remember getting signatures to save them as children. You might run into a mother who says, “Oh right, I was pregnant with Jason the night of that big meeting, and he just turned eleven on Thursday!” The beavers are now part of communal history. We are a better community because of them.
We are indeed. Dam better.
