Yesterday we got the registration update for the summit. And I am happy as I can be about the direction this is going. 607 registered in all and nearly a hundred CDFW. I have been hounding the state parks too and finally connected with someone who is going to share with their wildlife team so I expect these numbers to get better very soon.
All in all it’s turning out to be a dam fine list of attendees! Plus this morning I registered Jon for both his pfizer shots at CVS Napa! Light at the end of the tunnel baby.
Here’s how to celebrate by tuning in monday or listening here now.
Beaver Taught Salmon To Jump
On this episode of Locus Focus, we talk with Dr. Suzanne Fouty, a retired U.S. Forest Service hydrologist, about the importance of protecting the beaver who are still doing their best to survive in our forests and wetlands, despite harassing, trapping and hunting by people who do not appreciate the vast benefits they provide. Suzanne is a co-author of House Bill 2843 that would close recreational and commercial trapping of beaver on federally-managed public lands in Oregon.
I could listen to Suzanne Fouty all day and so should you.
Beavers have been called “Nature’s Engineers.” In fact, the Army of Corps of Engineers could learn a lot from beavers. Instead of re-engineering nature to serve narrow human interests, beavers engineer the natural environment to serve not just their own needs, but the needs of entire ecosystems. Before beavers were nearly extirpated from the Pacific Northwest over a hundred years ago, stream corridors were filled with beavers creating and maintaining complex, water-rich habitats that provided homes and food for a diverse array of fish and mammals, as well as humans.
Oh I wish every state had one or more Suzanne’s and say after April 9th maybe more of them will. be. Did I mention that there are now 25 states signed up for the summit? 10 in Alabama. Think about that for a moment.
Oregon Representative Brad Witt is chair of the committee that will determine by March 19 whether or not House Bill 2843 gets voted on this session. You can contact him at Rep.BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov or call his office – 503-986-1431 – to share your concerns about protecting beavers in Oregon.
Suzanne joyfully wrote me that she got her first shot yesterday. Here we are after dinner after the State of the Beaver Conference which has been waiting for its shot too. As are all waiting in line now for our permission to disembark from HMS Covid.
Our turn is coming soon.
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