In keeping with our only good news Sunday theme, I thought I’d share this very convincing essay Molly Foley penned after attending her first ever State of the Beaver Conference. Molly is the next generation of beaver supporters and will be here to do this work long after we’re gone.
Here’s what I have to tell you people about beavers. Beavers shaped this country, and the wildlife that co-evolved with them for milions of years. Want to know why our birds, fish amphibians, and insect populations are plummeting? Loss of habitat. About half of endangered species rely on wetlands. When we decimated beavers during the fur trade, then drained the land for agriculture and development, we sentenced our ecosystem to death.
Beavers, humble creatures they are, can re-create that habitat. Its not just the Coho salmon and the red legged frog that need beavers either. From a self interested human point of view, WE NEED BEAVERS TOO. In the west, beaver ponds are helping to store water on the landscapecharge ground water, provide fire breaks and habitat
refuge. In the east beaver ponds provide flood protection and improve water quality.
So if you are lucky enough to be graced with beaver in your neck of the woods, I beg you, let them be! We have a blooming field of professionals prepared to non-lethally handle any beaver problem you might have, whether its to keep the flow going, or prevent loss of trees. There are solutions. Killing them isnt a long term solution because there will be new ones to take their place. Be smart monkeys and learn to co-exist.
Saltwater Beavers Bring Life Back to Estuaries
Until recently, biologists assumed that beavers occupied freshwater ecosystems only. But scientists are now studying beavers living in brackish water and how they help restore degraded estuaries and provide crucial habitat for salmon, waterfowl, and many other species. Journalist Ben Goldfarb speaks with Host Bobby Bascomb.
What will I ever do when these Ben-terviews about beavers stop rolling delightfully onto my doorstep? I can’t even imagine that dark hour but I know it’s coming. He is already working on his next book, which is not about beavers, or not solely about beavers. Shudder. Let me not think on’t!
Today let’s end with two wonderful donations from Sparrow Avenue in Toronto. Barbara crafts original textiles and silkscreens and was my first generous YES in this year’s asking for beaver donation. Her enthusiasm gave me the courage to keep asking other poor souls. She donated an adorable little coin purse AND a pillow from her incredible store. Thank you Barbara!
