Beavers might be the ticket for wild steelhead survival
Depending who you ask, beavers can be a blessing or a curse. Considered shadow rodents because we don’t hear much about them unless their building activities create some public safety issues, it is a known fact beavers and their dams play an important role in nature’s big picture, and because of the dramatic effects their dams have on surrounding ecosystems, beavers are considered a keystone species. Today, biologists, scientists and naturalists are embracing the beaver’s ability to create wetlands and other natural habitats.
That’s right. The day after the SF gate announced that salmon could become extinct and painfully ignored the role of beaver, Washington says gosh, beavers sure are good for steelhead, and when are we going to start using them to build habitat? The timing could not be better and I hope it at least makes the reporter of the gate article idly curious. Look at this, for example!
Beavers, salmon returning to Los Gatos Creek
Mind you this is a different location on Los Gatos Creek than our previous beaver sighting! You have to sit through a comercial to watch this clip but it’s worth it!
Nice work team San Jose! Remember if folks can start to clean out the creeks, beavers can make them salmon-friendly!
Lots of good beaver news today. Here’s a part where residents are begging for beavers to be removed and officials say they can stay. No, really!
Locals to Golden Gardens beavers: Please leave
Ballard locals say beavers have cut numerous trees and devastated two scenic ponds at Golden Gardens Park. It’s their natural habitat and they can stay, parks officials respond.
You could stand on a footbridge between the ponds and gaze out onto this peaceful preserve. Chirp, chirp.
Then two or three years ago arrived one beaver, or maybe it’s up to a dozen beavers — depending on which irate leisurely stroller you talk to.
Seattle Parks and Recreation estimates the rodents have downed 65 to 75 trees so they could eat the bark, and build a dam and a lodge.
The parks department says their tree cutting is just part of nature. It’s not going to relocate the beavers.
Ahh Washington State! Even when you’re being stupid about beavers you are still smarter than the other 49! Why aren’t people telling them that beavers make habitat for more birds? Here’s the sign those park officials need to display. Or heck, just give them my email. I’ll talk to those bird lovers!
Yesterday a lovely silver ball chain necklace arrived in the mail from Cecile Stewart in North Carolina of Partsforyou. She makes necklaces and earrings out of really beautiful old coins. I can’t find a photo of the one she sent so this must have been her last, but it is awesome and happens to be dated the year of my birth. I wouldn’t bother bidding on this at all because you will never, never win. Thanks Cecile!
