Once upon a time there was a partly industrialized city that wanted to give the impression that it cared about nature and had free spaces. It decided one of the best ways to do this was to restore its waterfront so that there would be a living, clean, growing destination in the middle of the city that could be enjoyed by walkers or passers by and maybe become a destination. The city spent a good deal of money making the creek look natural and hired a respected firm to re plant all the native trees that had been removed years before. It took a long time and a lot of tax payer dollars, but at the end they had a ‘natural’ looking section of water that added value to the city and the homes that surrounded it.
Can you guess what happened next?
- Joey Dimauro JBD Photography
- Penetanguishene Waterfront Wetland Restoration Master Plan
You may be surprised to learn that this story isn’t about Martinez. It’s the story of Maitland Park in Brampton Ontario, where the city hired Dougan & Associates Ecological Design to beautify an area and make the watershed appear ‘more natural’. Apparently, they did such a fine job that a beaver colony moved in to admire their work. Now the city is anxious about the dams and wants to rip them out. Residents like the beavers and enjoy watching them and are trying to keep the city from getting rid of them.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.
This morning I got an email from Tyler J.W. Higgins who has started a petition and a facebook page to save the Maitland Park Beavers. He writes
I am currently circulating an online petition to have a local population of beavers appropriately accommodated and protected by local conservation and public authority. I live in Brampton, Ontario Canada, in a suburban area with a so-called “wetland conservation” area within close walking distance. To my great delight last fall I discovered a large lodge structure as well as a dam in excess of 10 ft across. To my incredible indignation that dam was destroyed mere months ago, and since I have been, rather modestly, campaigning to have the beavers right to live and work on our stream protected. I am not alone in my efforts, though it is difficult to create awareness with limited financial and other resources that would be required to campaign more effectively. In my search for help, inspiration and information I came across your website. Instantly I knew I had found a source of inspiration as it helps me to know I am not alone in my utter amazement and love for these animals. I am hoping that your organization can assist me with any methods, resources, information that can assist me and my furry little friends in protecting them. Any signatures that can be added to the online petition by members of your mailing list or your organization would be an enormous contribution to the welfare of the beavers in my neighborhood.
Martinez knows exactly what Tyler is going through! To show your dejá-vu solidarity go sign the petition and if you want to join him on Facebook go here. You can also write the mayor and the park works people for good measure. I’ll make sure he knows where to find other tools.
