You may remember that back in May the Scottish government reported that some 87 wild beavers were killed by permit in that country, thought to be 2o percent of the total number of free beavers in the land. The Scottish wild beaver group is doing an online memorial for them and there are entries from artists and poets around the world.
They are up to 45 now.
In Memoriam
Scottish Natural Heritage recently confirmed that 87 beavers, roughly one fifth of Scotland’s entire population, were killed under licence in 2019 despite being a protected species. At least ten of the animals were less than a year old.
Submit Your Beaver Artwork
Help us commemorate the 87 beavers killed under licence & persuade the Scottish Government to use killing only as a last resort. Get “beavering away” and send a photo of your artwork (in any medium) to 87beavers@protonmail.com by & we’ll get in touch with info about what to do next.
The 87 beaver artworks will be displayed online and in spaces around Scotland.
I thought I’d share some of their awesome collection so far. But if you feel so inclined you should submit your work too. I’m sure they’d like submissions from the Americas.
As an illustrator specialising in British wildlife, I believe all creatures, including the beaver, play an important role in shaping our world. We should be working with these animals, not against them!
I am an artist working in the North East of England. Inspired by the natural world and the green spaces near where I live, my art is about celebrating and connecting with the landscape, its mythologies and its wildlife. As a member of several environmental campaign groups, I feel that a vital way of helping to preserve that natural world is to encourage people to engage with it.
And of course, my absolute favorite by Isla Ritchie aged 9.
Word to the wise, take it from someone who’s been there, the adult submissions are lovely but, if you don’t want to be doing this again next May get about 500 more drawings from Isla’s friends around the country. Make sure that every county has children submitting beaver artwork. Down to the three year olds that look like chickens or fleas with tail blobs. Get the project Nature watch or the news to make sure everyone sees it. And, heck while you’re at it make the submissions available for sale as tea towels to raise money for the education campaign.
Chris Jones poem and my video are number 41. But go check out the others for a very nice start to the weekend.
