Follow the ‘Misadventures of Beverly Beaver’ at Moebius Nature Center

Moebius Nature Center, a 44-acre property just east of Sunny Lake Park in Aurora, now has a story to help guide children around the half-mile nature trail at the center.

Those visiting the Moebius Nature Center can follow the “Misadventures of Beverly Beaver” around the property.

“It was by Bill Shaul; it was brainchild, and he wrote the story, and we all contributed to the editing of it,” said Moebius Nature Center President Jim Tomko. “The story is about a young beaver who has an adventure, getting lost and finding her way home.”

There are two versions of the story, one for young children and one for older children which we like MUCH better. I’m not sure how much either really teaches about beavers and why we need them, but the story and illustrations are sweet. I hope someone soon will explain to me how a beaver that can recognize the scent of her surroundings much much better than a human gets lost, but you children and their crazy stories.

You can go read the entire thing here and find out how Beverly Beaver finds her way home here:

The Misadventures of Beaverly Beaver

BEAVERS INTERACT

heidi08 Beaver Art August 31, 2021

I have been very dogged looking for the creator of the beaver interactive. It is the work of Kyle Kosma who has an amazing portfolio of work. Go check out his body of work because you won’t stop gasping.

KyleKosma,com

Snooping about on the google I found that he has a sister who finished her dissertation in humpback feeding patterns, which explains his awesome whale displays. And I found his scratch pad for the beaver interactive on vimeo. Here’s one of the videos.

[wonderplugin_video iframe=”https://vimeo.com/546311000″ lightbox=0 lightboxsize=1 lightboxwidth=960 lightboxheight=540 autoopen=0 autoopendelay=0 autoclose=0 lightboxtitle=”” lightboxgroup=”” lightboxshownavigation=0 showimage=”” lightboxoptions=”” videowidth=600 videoheight=400 keepaspectratio=1 autoplay=0 loop=0 videocss=”position:relative;display:block;background-color:#000;overflow:hidden;max-width:100%;margin:0 auto;” playbutton=”https://www.martinezbeavers.org/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/wonderplugin-video-embed/engine/playvideo-64-64-0.png”]

I’m a designer living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I’ve been designing for about 8 years, crafting experiences from touchscreen interactives and event branding, to scientific illustrations. If you’d like to know more about me or my work, contact me hello@kylekosma.com.

He’s done graphic work for lots of museums in Oregon and Alaska. I’m just wondering now whether beavers can afford him? Or afford NOT to ensnare him?

VISIT VIRTUAL BEAVER POND

heidi08 Beaver Art, Beaver ecological impact, Beavers August 29, 2021

Way back in February I was contacted by Louise Shirley the curator of the High Desert Museum in Oregon about including some of Cheryl’s photos in their upcoming beaver exhibit. I believe we talked about the artwork when it opened. Well yesterday a buddy sent me their beaver interactive. I have zero idea how this escaped my attention all this time but spent an entire day forwarding it to literally everyone I know.

This is the coolest thing that has ever been. Period. Click on the image to go to the interactive. Turn your sound up and press f11 to go full screen. You’re welcome.

Well? Did you go? How frickin cool is that? I mean really? Turn the sound UP. I could stay there forever. I want it as a screen saver. What I really want is for Louise to introduce me to the graphic designer who put this together and to hire him/her to do the same thing for URBAN BEAVERS so adapt the species to green heron and maybe an otter eating crayfish out of the pond. A few sticklebacks or a tule perch. And maybe include a zoom out feature so you see that the entire surrounding area is in the middle of a terrible drought and all their trees are dying, except for at the beaver pond.

And maybe there are flames approaching and everything burns EXCEPT the lush pond. Or maybe there’s a human figure that has the option of trapping out the beaver and then the entire pond and wildlife gradually disappears. But since it’s virtual you can redo it and choice to live WITH the beavers instead, install a pond leveler, and then the entire wetland doubles and more species burst on the scene.

The possibilities are endless.

I’m leaving the link in the sidebar for now because EVERYONE needs to see this and share it with three friends that have no idea why beavers matter.

All hail the High Desert Museum.

BEAVERS AT THE WHITE HOUSE?

heidi08 Attitudes towards beavers, Beaver Art, Beaver Conference, Beavers August 30, 2021

Beavers are catching on. And they dam well should be. Look what’s happening in Corvalis Oregon.

I was contacted by Ralph a while back and plied with questions about our festival. I gave lots of ideas including getting some children’s activities that could teach about why beavers matter. I told him about our beaver billboards and beaver tours and he invited me to come talk about our work in Martinez but I demurred. Too bad covid is still requiring masks but I’m hopeful that will get lots of photos of Oregonians in beaver tails soon.

Now that’s enough good news for one day, but while I was still glowing over this I got an email from Karen Pope at the forest service who was part of our Beaver summit team and she suggested that there was a call for natural resource inspired ornaments for the White house Christmas tree and wouldn’t it be great to have a beaver one?

Every year, a different national forest is selected to provide a tree to appear on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. The 2021 tree will come from the Six Rivers National Forest in California. From ornament making and special events to sponsorships and a cross-country tour, we invite you to follow the journey to D.C. Throughout the year.

They are calling for ornaments for both the large white house tree AND the several smaller trees they will erect around town.

Large Ornaments Requirements (4,000 needed)
The large ornaments will decorate the outdoor 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
– 9 to 12 inches
– Colorful & reflective
– Lightweight
– Durable materials such as natural products (wood, pine cones, shells, etc.), aluminum or repurposed material
– Weatherproof to withstand the elements (wind, rain, & snow)
– Will be hung from 14 gauge wire

How to submit ornaments
Click here to view mailing information and drop off locations.
Ornaments must be submitted by Sept. 15, 2021.

Well sure it’s not a lot of time for folks to get it together but it comes in handy if you already have the perfect graphic. I spoke with Amy Hall yesterday and have her full consent to print this on wood and run with it.

PAINTED WITH A BEAVER BRUSH

heidi08 Beaver Art August 7, 2021

Marsha Heatwole is a regular reader of the site in Virginia. She’s passionate about beavers and wildlife and a talented artist to boot. She posted this today.