Month: May 2021

MY BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER

Not very often, but once in a great while a beaver story comes along that captures every part of my heart, It is probably no surprise that when it does it usually comes from Vermont, where Skip Lisle and Patti Smith have spent many lifetimes with beavers. This morning’s tale from Addison County introduces a new player, and one that I want to invite for dinner, beaver festival and a sleepover. This story was written by Elsie Lynn Pareni in the Addison County Independent.

Backyard beavers present a picture of place & personality

A FAMILY OF beavers lives behind this Addison County resident’s home. They moved in to their water home in 2016 and he’s been observing them ever since. Over time, the man learned that these beavers are especially fond of apples, so he brings them an apple-snack most days. Photo by Matteo Moretti

Backyard chickens are a thing, but how about backyard beavers? Sure they don’t lay eggs, but they’ll redesign your landscape for ya. Joking aside, having a family of beavers move in is pretty special; and having them stay for five years is incredible.

That’s just what’s happened to a fellow Addison County resident (who will remain unnamed for the protection of the beavers).

“The beavers moved in in June of 2016,” he explained, as he meandered up to their main pond. “The pond is getting bigger and bigger… They dig canals to get to their food easier, but they’ve eaten most of it now.”

What ever your doing today you should plan on clicking on the headline and going to the website to read the entire glorious story as written. I haven’t loved a story this much since I read about Hope Ryden in Lily Pond. The article doesn’t give the name of the lucky man to keep the beavers safe, but I have already written the film maker and implored to be introduced.

THIS ADDISON COUNTY man looks out on his property where a family of beavers have created many ponds. Photo by Matteo Morett

He walks his paths, with a small bag of apples and a knife in hand. As he approaches the pond, he may call to the beavers.

“They will respond to my voice,” he said.

And they do. Middlebury College senior Matteo Moretti witnessed it too.

“He seems to have figured out what all their vocalizations mean,” said Moretti, who spent several weeks last fall on the property for a documentary film he made for his thesis. “‘How are you guys doing?’ he’ll ask, adding in a low ‘hmmmmmmm,’ which is some sort of sound of affection… It’s pretty awesome.”

So sweet, of course it’s not HMMMMM that beavers say to each other, but NMMMM, Everything beavers say begins with a N. Of course.

THIS AERIAL PHOTO captures the masterful work done by the family of beavers who live in the backyard of an Addison County neighbor. Photo by Caleb Kenna

The beavers are relatively quiet during the winter months, especially when their ponds freeze over.

“They build up a pantry cache in the fall to eat on in the winter, and sleep a lot,” said the man. “I chop a hole in ice by their lodge so that I can keep feeding the beavers. It can be a lot of work… This past winter the whole got down to only 18-inches wide — barely big enough for two beaver heads to come out.”

But now, in the spring, activity is picking up. The beavers come out of their lodges (there are seven lodges around the ponds and little side holes, too), swim a few laps with their noses in the air to check and make sure everything is safe, and then “do what they do.”

You are so much braver than I. I’m not sure I would have ever made it out to see a beaver in the winter if I had to cut through Ice. But I did bundle up in my ski cloths and spend first night with them in 2008. I was worried the crowds downtown would harm them so we packed a midnight picnic and kept watch at their pond. I remember because it’s the night I met FROgard Butler, and Jean O’Neil who became staunch beaver advocates and Worth A Dam engines.

“I’m under no illusion I’m their friend,” said the man, who spent a couple decades bartending in Middlebury. “I’m just someone who brings them food.”

But it’s hard to believe that when you see the way the beavers respond to this man.

“I’ve spent five years just watching them,” the man guessed, “probably 2,000 hours…. This is my world — I never tire of it.”

To which Heidi says, “Ahh. I understand.”

Just five?”

DON’T MENTION THE ‘F’ WORDS

When it comes to beaver the F words are fur and feelings.

I try to stay away from them generally. We’ll talk more about that later but first we have some delightful kid interviews about beavers. Isn’t that fun? From Wyoming all about beavers. It’s like they knew I was coming. This is the kind of recording I could listen too all day.

Episode 4: Why Are Beavers And Mountain Men Linked In History?

Madison Burckhardt and Breann Berg wanted to find out more about why they think Wyoming is wonderful. Madison a nine-year-old from Cody, Wyoming is interested in beavers and interviewed biologist, Jerry Altermatt about how beavers influence the environment and why they sometimes have to be moved. By the end, she confirmed why she thought beavers were awesome and their influences on waterways and meadows. Breann, a ten-year-old from Rawlins, Wyoming became interested in mountain men while learning about them at school and wanted to know more. In the second half of the episode, Breann interviews Clay Landry, fur trade historian, to discuss her favorite mountain man, John Colter, and his adventures in the Yellowstone region.

Madison Burckhardt

Madison is a ten-year-old native of Cody Wyoming. Madison is a fantastic artist who loves wildlife, nature, and horses. Madison’s love for beavers began when she had the opportunity to help a Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologist trap, care for and relocate a family of beavers.

Jerry Altermatt

is a Terrestrial Habitat Biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in Cody, Wyoming. He has been working to enhance habitat for wildlife in the Cody Region since 1992.

Not bad answers or questions from Wyoming, a state that isn’t always very patient with beavers. I enjoyed the first interview more than the second, but I guess it’s fun to hear a little about trappers worrying that everyone would think they were insane.

Yesterday this most amusing letter was published in Havre Montana, which of course you know I had to respond to. I feel very restrained that I said nothing about his having a ridiculous name in addition to his ridiculous positions.

Letter to the Editor – Some questions about Beaver Deceivers

I have been following the debate over the beaver situation in our Hill County Beaver Creek Park. We are losing a tremendous amount of trees and access to the creek itself by a common rodent. The beaver. Now that the anti-trapping people and other humane special interest groups have been called to graciously help solve our problem there have been many questions left unanswered.

Okay. Let’s stop right there and get out our fainting couches. There is going to be some shocking revelations coming, I just know it. Call me suspicious but I don’t get the feeling he’s asking questions because he wants an answer so much as he wants to hear the sound of his fingers typing.

1. How much will these Beaver Deceivers, pond levelers, cost? (I was told it was $12-15,000 each.

Ha! Are they really made out of solid gold? Inquiring minds are demanding answers.

2. What is the effective range of a Beaver Deceiver and how many will it take to cover the trouble area?

Oh a genuine question! I’m sure you didn’t mean it, I’ll allow.

3. Who is going to pay the price of these magical beaver foolers. This park belongs to Hill County. So, I think you know.

That’s more like it. “Magical Beaver Foolers”. Now that’s some good snark out of Montana. I never would have guessed you could snark as well as city folk. Now if my name were “Dibblee” I would avoid being too snotty but I don’t know very many people in Havre. Maybe that’s the most dignified name around. Maybe there’s a Dibblee courthouse and a Dibblee post office and a long pedigree making it the most respected name in town. What do I know?

4. Whose responsibility will it be to maintain “magical” devices?

Magical again. I expect less redundancy with my snark Jeff.

I will not take up any of your valuable time on the history and chronological factual information of the impact trapping has been for our state. I will say that this furbearing game animal can be properly maintained by conventional trapping methods.

Is trapping a painful, horrid death as claimed by Ms. York and her side kick, Ms. Braaten? I can’t say. I have never talked to a beaver to ask them how they feel about trappers.

Good lord. I can’t even. The problem with anti trap folks is that they trigger the anti compassion folks. I tell you what. Let’s not talk about beaver discomfort at ALL. Let’s just talk about selfish gain. The park gets more wildlife to shoot, more fish to trap and more water to swim in IF it keeps beavers. Is saves money by not having to pay trappers year after year and the place is big enough that you can afford to pick some small creek or stream to test it out. Does that sound reasonable?

Please do not let this Trap Free Montana organization fool you.

It’s not just about trapping. They want to take your hunting and fishing privileges away as well.

Think about this. If you have a piece of ground that deer and elk are raising havoc on, should the fish and game set up “deceivers” or issue extra “B” tags or damage hunt permits?

In conclusion I would like anyone interested in learning more about “your” park, to please attend the next meeting when announced.

Jeff C. Dibblee

Hill County voter, taxpayer, conservationist

I don’t believe their is an “Elk deceiver” but I could be wrong. I snooped around the internet and found another letter from Jeff about the importance of unions which he signed with ‘retired rail union man”. Okay. Someone buy him a copy of Lewis Morgan the American beaver and his works. I think Jeff needs a beer and a long chat with someone like Jerry Altermatt or Torrey Ritter and what ever you do don’t mention fur or feelings.

This is winnable, Montana. Just keep your eyes on the prize,

IT’S THE HYDROLOGY, STUPID

heidi08 Beavers, Beavers and Flooding May 19, 2021

Wow! Wisconsin just got a whole lot smarter about beavers. Bob Boucher’s study is making a major spash and I couldn’t be happier.

New Study Finds Beavers Could Be Key To Preventing Flooding On The Milwaukee River

Now, there are calls for beavers to return — not for their fur — but for the potential impact they could have on flood mitigation in the Milwaukee River watershed. A recent collaborative study between the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Milwaukee Riverkeeper and UW-Milwaukee analyzed the prospect of increased beavers on the watershed.

GO LISTEN to the whole glorious thing, and remember that Wisconsin is usually soooo stupid about beavers they blow up dams to help fish AND think there are more beavers now than there used to be. Fantastic work Bob. Beaver hats off to you!

Here’s what I spent entirely too much time on yesterday. They lyrics just fit wayyy too well, It can’t be a coincidence. From “defending a COLONY” to ending with RISE UP. I know I’m very weird but if you listen to the sounds track and read my lyrics you’ll see they mostly scan. Beavers need their time on stage.

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Beaverton

MARTINEZ BEAVER STORY BECOMES THESIS

heidi08 Attitudes towards beavers, Beaver ecological impact, Beavers May 18, 2021

Watching Zane present yesterday on his thesis of the Martinez Beavers was an indescribable feeling both
surreal and proud. I really have the feeling that Martinez had made a dent in the smooth teflon surface of the world, and that there were still ripples spreading from the waters we disrupted. Hopefully I can share the telling on video soon, but trust me it was several flavors of wonderful.

Our own Mitch Avalon from flood control attended the presentation so I think good things for beavers and flood control in the future. I’m still kind of floaty about the whole thing.

I only feel up to sharing this beautiful glimpse this morning.

CUVERTS, SALMON PASSAGE AND BEAVERS

heidi08 Beavers and salmon May 17, 2021

Today Zane Eddy defends his masters thesis on the Martinez Beavers, and the academic world find out whether urban beavers matter. I of course will be tuning in like a ghost attending her own funeral. I just have to know how (if) it ends!

Meanwhile Washington is spending money on beavers again, and we should all follow suit.

King County’s culvert hunters — and a $9 billion plan to save salmon habitat

It doesn’t look like much, this ditch by the side of the road. But to King County’s culvert hunters, this isn’t a throwaway landscape.

Kat Krohn, an engineer and fish passage specialist for King County, chopped right into a fierce bramble of blackberries and got into the ditch as traffic roared by on a busy thoroughfare in Lake Forest Park. Here, Lyon Creek flows through Lake Forest Park before draining into the northwest corner of Lake Washington, crossing in culverts under roads and even private driveways all along the way.

That’s where Krohn and her teammates at King County come in. They are working in the field to compile an inventory of culverts on country roads, bridges and properties — the good, the bad, and the truly ugly in terms of whether a salmon can get through them to spawn or journey to the sea.

Urban creeks are the arteries and veins of the region carrying the lifeblood that animates the region’s ecology: salmon. Food for more than 123 species of animals — including endangered southern resident killer whales that frequent Puget Sound.

Imagine checking EVERY culvert in the county to see if fish can get by safely. Salmon are practically treated like royalty in Washington State. And guess what helps the royal family most?

A beaver dam attested to the help from nature’s primo wetland engineer, noted Jen Vanderhoof, a senior ecologist at King County working to support the coexistence of beavers in the watershed. Beavers can help boost biodiversity in a creek like this, Vanderhoof said, which is challenged by the effects of development, including both elevated temperature and pollutants.

The dams beavers build create pools that benefit baby salmon, and grow the insects and invertebrates that feed everything from fish to birds. Pools created by their beaver busyness also help recharge the hyporheic zone of the creek — where the water flows unseen, underground — maintaining flow and cooling temperature.

“Let the rodents do the work,” Vanderhoof said.

Not a wisecrack, but an insight, to not just treat symptoms, but instead restore natural processes that create healthier habitat and cleaner water in this creek. It is an important county stronghold for wildlife, home to not only coho, sockeye and Chinook, but freshwater mussels and sponges, river otters, crayfish and a teeming community of aquatic insects that stoke a web of life.

Who knew such things went on in urban streams and culverts! Wow you could almost write your master’s thesis on it!

I don’t know. Beavers might not be inspiring enough. What do you think? This photo of a beaver dam before the grand Tetons was sent by a friend of Rusty Cohn.