They say an old chinese curse reads “May you live in Interesting Times“.
These days are horrifically interesting, and its up to all of us to live through them and make something better on the other side. I’m doing what I can of course, but life is very weird and unreal feeling. Case in point?
Yesterday’s conversation with Zane Eddy a Humboldt State Sociology Masters student who is thinking about doing his thesis on the Martinez Beavers story as a way to understand the overlap between wildlife management and social ecology. It turns out his advisor, Laurie Richmond, also on the call, runs this research lab.
Human Dimensions Research Lab Humboldt State University’
Welcome to the website for Dr. Laurie Richmond’s research lab where student, faculty, and community collaborators focus on the human dimensions of natural resources with an emphasis on marine and coastal issues.
Of course it’s my considered opinion that the Martinez Beaver story is endlessly fascinating and that there could not possibly be a better way into the important nexus between beavers and humans than through our remarkable story. I tried to pitch it in a dispassionately convincing way that made the story sound intriguing and accessible enough to be studied. But I couldn’t tell if I sounded like a very compelling research subject or an just old kook who likes to talk about beavers.
The jury, of course, is still out on that one. I’ll let you know what they decide.
In the meantime there’s wonderful news from Maine of all places who it seems is coming to grips with culverts.
‘Beaver deceiver’ takes aim at rodent-related flooding’
WILTON – On Wednesday, employees of public works departments, land trusts and state agencies gathered on Bennett Road in a bid to outwit a common menace to culverts, trail systems and rural Maine roadways: the beaver.
A training opportunity hosted by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services built a water control structure at the intersection of Bennett Road and the Whistle Stop Trail. Consisting of a protective fence and incorporating a water leveling device, the structure is designed to keep the culvert that runs beneath the road from being blocked by the industrious rodents. Stretching off on either side of the Bennett Road are wetlands, thick with reeds and other aquatic plants.
The article doesn’t make it entirely clear who trained the training, but I do remember Skip Lisle doing to presentations in Maine last year so maybe he had something to do with this? This sure sounds like Skip.
A common response to a situation like the one on Bennett Street is trapping the beavers. While that can be a short term solution, Lindsay said, if the conditions remain ideal eventually more beavers show up. Additionally, beavers themselves are an important part of the local ecosystem: their dams help create and maintain freshland wetlands, which in turn filter out sediment and allow microorganisms to remove pollutants.
Gosh if you’re heading over to see the fall colors it sure looks like its going to happen soon. I bet that water was a bit chilly!
This final photo just doesn’t look like either Skip or Mike had anything to do with it. I could be wrong but it seems like a Vermont state game design. For some reason they insist on reinventing the wheel even though the wheel lives in their own state, Well. we’re hopeful.
Even if beavers block the fence, the opening of the leveler is out of their reach, Lindsay said, preventing any flooding from overrunning the trail or road.Lindsay said that MDIFW and the USDA Wildlife Services offered the training last week to public works crews, MDIFW and other state wildlife agencies and land trust employees: all groups that may have to deal with beaver dams. Another, similar training will be held this week, on Thursday, Oct. 3, in Buckfield.
Um. Of course you realize if the beavers succeed at making a dam the pond will rise and that leveler will be in their reach, right? Well, good luck boys. Just promise me if this doesn’t work you will blame USDA and not flow devices, okay?
MONTPELIER, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) – Two state agencies have teamed up to create what they’re calling a “beaver deceiver” at a wetland project near Montpelier.
Because funds are not currently available to replace the culvert with a different structure, ITD asked for advice on the problem from Idaho Fish & Game biologists. After discussing possible strategies, the two agencies decided to join forces to install a ‘beaver deceiver’ fence as an experimental project.
This lovely handout was made by the good folks of “Voices of wildlife in New Hampshire.” It’s so well done that I’m just cutting and pasting to give you the idea. I will link to it at the end so that you can distribute if you wish. Remember New Hampshire is the home of our friend Art Wolinsky who has been persuading folks on the ground and helping VWNH when he can. It’s starting to look like a great place to be a beaver.
The North American beaver is a keystone species whose activities promote ecological biodiversity across the landscape. Beaver dams help improve water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient flow to downstream sources, creates wetlands and enhances wildlife habitat.
the only available option to mitigate potential beaver problems. By working with researchers and experts from around the US, we are able to offer an ecologically friendly beaver management solution by designing and installing custom flow devices (i.e. beaver deceivers) and culvert exclusion fences, providing a long term cost-effective solution. Ecotone installs flow devices to manage the size of the beaver pond, regulate water levels to desirable levels, and mitigate activity around culverts, while also keeping the dam, and the ecosystem services it provides. By working to co-exist with the beaver we can create a cascade of benefits to water quality and biodiversity. .
Ecotone has partnered with 
