WA researchers awaiting test results for mysterious deaths of beavers along Salish Sea
We here in Martinez know a thing or two about a beaver “Die-off” How many actual beavers I wonder?
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. – Researchers need the public’s help solving a mystery in San Juan County. Beavers are showing up dead along the shores of the Salish Sea. It’s an unusual sighting for the creatures that are so vital to Washington’s marine environment.
What they’re saying:
“Beavers are critical to the environment here and in the climate resiliency, especially in these tidal areas like the estuaries along the Salish Sea,” said Erin Casellas, field operations coordinator for The Whale Museum. “The Chinook Salmon smolt depend on the habitats that the beavers create. They’re building their dams, and in turn these Chinook salmon are what many other species, like the endangered Southern Resident killer whales are also depending on.”
Experts with the museum, located in Friday Harbor, are currently waiting for test results on what killed the beavers. Researchers said their team isn’t sure if the creatures died from toxins, disease, human influence, or climate-related stress.
I was a little surprised to see this in so any locations. Who really cares if Heidi talks about beavers again? Must be a day that ends in Y.. Ho hum. But I was shocked to read that you have to pay to REGISTER. Good lord. Ten dollars? That’s like a ticket to a matinee right? Or a double late with extra foam.
The Sonoma Valley Historical Society is hosting a Zoom lecture with activist Heidi Perryman speaking about the positive environmental impacts of beavers. She will discuss protecting the wood-chomping critters during an online lecture April 10
The Sonoma Valley Historical Society will be hosting an online lecture April 10 featuring Heidi Perryman, the founder of the Worth a Dam nonprofit organization, which focuses on protecting the California beaver population.
In the presentation, “The Story of Beavers: Past, Present, and Future,” Perryman will discuss her work in defending beavers in her hometown of Martinez, which were at risk of being exterminated by the city after their dam posed a potential flooding hazard in 2007.
Her work along with other community advocates led to the Martinez city council forming a subcommittee that eventually found a more humane solution, which circumvented culling the beavers.
Now I didn;t write that you know. Because I don’t say words like “culling”.
As she continued her journey advocating for the beavers, Perryman became interested in helping other cities navigate beaver-related issues such as chewing and dam building. Since 2008, she has organized an annual beaver festival in Martinez, which has inspired five other states and Canada to follow suit.
According to Perryman, it is imperative that Californians learn how to coexist with beavers as the state faces more drought years. She considers beavers “water savers” as their dam-building helps lakes and ponds retain water levels, slow water flow and maintain and restore groundwater.
I did write that. You know it kind of makes me nostalgic reading an article that calls me by my last name. Reporters do that all the time but almost no one else does except coaches or your frenemy/buddy in Jr High. It reminds me of light years ago when the Martinez Beavers were in the news all the time. Ahhh memories.
Beavers are considered a keystone species, meaning that their dam-building contributes enormously to their ecosystems by creating habitats that encourage biodiversity.
Perryman’s online Zoom lecture begins at 7 p.m. and costs $10 for the general public to attend, while Sonoma Valley Historical Society members and history docents are able to attend for free.
Oh that makes me feel better, Most of them will be listening for free. That means I can be Worth less of a Dam. Whew.
SALEM, Ore. – Conservation groups across the state are rallying in support of a bill that would protect beaver habitats. House Bill 3932 would prohibit beaver hunting and trapping in waterways on certain public lands. It’s in an effort to protect the keystone species, create more biodiversity, and improve water quality in streams.
A beaver swimming.
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN), is an Ashland-based conservation group and just one of several organizations across the state that submitted testimony in support of the bill. SOCAN Executive Director Daniel Scotton says the expansion of beaver habitats is critical for wildfire suppression.
“The more wetlands we have, the more firebreaks we have. While they may not completely stop a fire, they can buy people time to evacuate. If a wetland is large enough, it could be a really powerful abatement for wildfires,” Scotton said. A beaver holds a stick in a stream.
The bill had its first public hearing last Tuesday but has not been voted on by either chamber.
Opponents of the bill say it creates unnecessary overreach into wildlife management decisions.
Gee I’m curious how this is going to go down. I’m reminded of the agreement by USDA in California to only trap beavers in the rivers with bad fish.
