I guess the LA Times isn’t willing to endorse a candidate for president, but they still have the courage to tell you what movies to see.

This one looks good.

Boiling Point: Go see ‘The Wild Robot’

This mind-bending scene — part of DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot,” currently in theaters — lasts just a few seconds. But it’s hardly the only hint of climate crisis in a unique, wonderfully inventive movie.

The filmmakers do a superb job weaving together an emotionally resonant story about motherhood and finding purpose with a gorgeous parable about the natural world — and the importance of protecting our planet.

Especially in a movie marketed to kids and families, that’s a valuable accomplishment.

Because entertainment isn’t just entertainment. The narratives we consume in movies and on TV can shape our opinions and habits, even our votes. That’s why the U.S. government turned to Hollywood studios to build public support for World War II. It’s also why the Walt Disney Co. faced hateful criticism in 2022 for featuring an out gay teenager in its film “Strange World.” Ideas shown on screens can change hearts and minds.

Which is why Jeff Hermann, who produced “The Wild Robot,” wants to start conversations about climate.

Guess who makes a cameo? Well think climate change and charismatic animal and who imedliately comes to mind?

NRDC experts provided guidance on environmental storylines, including an unexpectedly fierce storm battering the island and the construction of a beaver dam. They also suggested ideas for the geese migration sequence — including brief peeks at a human world altered by climate change, at an indeterminate point in the future.

Well yes Idaho, we can learn to think of beavers in a new way. And we can solve problems not just relocate them. Truly.

More states are rethinking beaver management to help these furry engineers thrive

More states are exploring new ways to manage beavers. Corday shared a summary of the trends in a presentation to hundreds of beaver enthusiasts at the third BeaverCon conference in Boulder this week.

Having a proactive statewide management plan, she said, can help educate the public about the importance of sustaining beaver populations, outline goals for their recovery and help foster coexistence with communities.

“A statewide plan can lay the foundation for how you do those things,” said Corday.

For example, the plans can lay out processes for relocating beavers from places where they’re causing trouble to areas where they can thrive.

“In some cases, being able to translocate them up into the watershed where they could do so much benefit and have so much less risk of conflict,” she said.

Yet, just a few states have beaver management plans. Utah adopted one in 2017 and, as a result of state legislation, California is drafting one now. Colorado wildlife officials signaled earlier this year that they were beginning internal work on the state’s first beaver management plan, which could be drafted over the next couple of years.

Wow! I truly didn’t imagine the day that I would read about the beaver convention on NPR.  I guess we really aren’t in Kansas anymore, toto.

Things are still looking ugly for beavers in , British Columbia a little north of seattle.

Calvin Township takes up gnawing issue of beaver damage on private land

Calvin Township is drafting a new by-law to help curb damage from beaver dams. The municipality has had ongoing issues with dams on private property.

Other neighbouring municipalities have similar by-laws, noted Ann Carr, Calvin’s Public Works Superintendent, and “basically the by-law is a mechanism to allow us to control private property flooding and to protect the Municipality’s infrastructure.”

Carr emphasized that the by-law is still in draft.

However, as envisioned, the by-law “will give us a mechanism to enter onto private land” to deal with beavers and their dams before damaging flooding occurs.

See: Beaver dam sparks conflict among Four Mile Lake residents

The by-law would also see the municipality contract as needed, a licensed trapper who could deal with any beavers relentless in their quest for bigger ponds. At one time, trappers would be eager to do this work for free, but with the lower price of pelts, the ambition for trapping beaver is dwindling.

Ahh that’s a darn shame. Killing beaver is hardly worth while anymore, The city should pay for it.

Mayor Richard Gould elaborated. “The price of pelts has dropped to $35 per pelt,” Given the hours needed to harvest those pelts, the work isn’t worth it to many. As such, “We have a beaver population that is exploding.”

“If a large pond lets go,” he added, “that could take out a road.”

The municipality must be protected, but the mayor also emphasized that residents must be protected, and the by-law should give time “for them to act themselves” to fix any beaver issues occurring on their land, before the municipality steps in.

That would be at the resident’s own cost, because “no matter what,” the mayor detailed, “it always falls back to the cost of the resident.” Property owners are responsible for beavers on their land. However, there is not much an owner can do but contact a trapper. As per the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, “a person shall not damage or destroy a beaver dam unless the person holds a license to trap furbearing mammals.”

What if I want to keep beavers and birds and fish in my backyard stream? What if that’s why I bought the house in the first place?

This was nice to see on the rise in California. Apparently the secret t spreading the beaver gospel is making them transaction: How can beavers benefit ME?

Nature’s Engineers: Milestone for Beaver Restoration Will Improve California’s Watersheds

California’s waterways are about to get a helping hand from an unexpected ally: the North American beaver. With the recent passing of Assembly Bill (AB) 2196, authored by Assemblymember Damon Connolly and supported by CalTrout, a comprehensive program for beaver restoration throughout California’s watersheds is set to begin. This innovative approach leverages nature-based solutions to promote fish and freshwater resilience, offering a beacon of hope for our aquatic ecosystems. 

Beavers: More than Just Cute and Fuzzy 

While beavers are admired for their sweet and adorable charm, they are powerful ecosystem engineers whose work is vital for maintaining healthy watersheds. Their dam-building activities create complex aquatic habitats, improve water quality, and increase biodiversity. By reintroducing beavers to their native historical range, we’re not just bringing back a lovable species – we’re deploying nature’s own environmental restoration experts. 

Just to be clear, I never said anyone should love beavers because they’re adorable. That’s just a bonus.

Ecosystem Engineers at Work 

Once abundant in California, beaver populations were drastically reduced due to trapping and hunting. As a keystone species, their absence on the landscape has led to increased erosion, disconnected floodplains, and degraded fish habitats. AB 2196 aims to reverse this trend by supporting CDFW’s efforts in reintroducing beavers to their native habitats. 

Boosting Anadromous Fish Populations 

The reintroduction of beavers can be particularly positive for anadromous fish – those that migrate from the sea to freshwater to spawn. Here’s how beavers can help: 

1. 1. Improved Water Conditions: Beaver dams and the ponds they create cool waterways by up to 2 degrees Celsius, which is a crucial improvement in the face of climate change. 
   2. Enhanced Water Quality: Their structures act as natural filters, improving overall water quality.
   3. Expanded Floodplains: Beaver activity promotes the gradual spread of water, supporting natural floodplain function and benefiting native fish and migratory birds. 

With the majority of anadromous fish habitat in California’s Central Valley lost, beaver reintroduction offers a cost-effective strategy to restore these vital ecosystems and support the food webs and habitat of endangered salmon and steelhead. 

Oh yes, they do it all for the fish. Of course they have your best interests at heart.

A Collaborative Approach 

AB 2196 codifies the State’s Beaver Restoration Program, and expands the current program to allow non-CDFW staff to assist CDFW with beaver restoration. In doing so, AB 2196 emphasizes collaboration among Indigenous Tribes, NGOs, landowners, scientists, and state agencies. This inclusive approach ensures that beaver restoration is carried out with minimal disturbance and promotes coexistence between beavers and local communities. 

Looking Ahead 

As we face increasing challenges from climate change and drought, the implementation of AB 2196 represents a significant step towards more resilient watersheds. Through these nature-based solutions, we’re investing in a more sustainable and biodiverse future for California’s waterways and wildlife. 

CalTrout is proud to have co-led testimony throughout several key committee hearings on the bill. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts of beaver restoration unfold across our state’s watersheds in the coming years. 

Hey maybe when you’re done celebrating beavers in california you could have a chat with MInnesota and Wisconsin where they are still regularly blowing up beaver dams to help trout.

Those are your people. See if you can get some sense into them?