Because the beaver isn't just an animal; it's an ecosystem!

Category: City Reports


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Shortly after my article appeared in the Center for Humans and Nature website I was contacted by a producer for BYU radio. She wanted to set up a interview and to talk about beavers and our story. The plan was to start with Ben Goldfarb’s awesome new book and then transition to Martinez.

I thought that sounded like a great plan.

Host Marcus Smith was just launching a new program, so it took a while to air. But the producer let me know yesterday that it was on the air. Just four days after my birthday. The show description says “Join host Marcus Smith for conversations that invite you to slow down, step back, and take notice of the remarkable people and ideas you might normally pass by. New episodes weekdays at 4pm Eastern.

Well, okay then.

Marcus is an author, speaker and very carefully nuanced interviewer. (He asked me how to pronounce my last name, which no one ever has in 53 years.) Even if you’ve listened to all of Ben’s interviews before you’ll learn something new. And my part? Well, usually I listen to myself with roaring criticism. “Well you sure blew that line” or “You sound like you have a cold”. But either I’ve suddenly grown less critical or I knocked this one out of the park. Because, to be perfectly honest. I think I sound pretty compelling.

Ben Goldfarb & Heidi Perryman: Beaver Believers


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One of the exciting local development that befell yesterday is that the beloved Tulocay Creek in Napa got their very own flow device! (Apparently no one tells me anything around here anymore), but both Robin and Rusty say they knew this was in the works. I don’t know if there will be any media coverage of the event, and can’t tell if both Napa county supervisors AND Napa RCD shared the cost, but I’m happy to say that the beavers in Tulocay Creek got the official “permission” slip yesterday. Here are some photos Rusty sent of the installation. As you can see it’s a big job!

I guess this means the beavers can stay even when they build that new hotel. I’m sure we need to thank Supervisor Brad Wageknecht for making this happen. He was at our beaver festival this year and had a nice little chat with our Councilman Mark Ross. Leave it to Napa to do the whole thing without the media circus!

It’s wonderful to think that this was once unknown on the West Coast and now flow devices are all around us! Rodeo. Sonoma, Napa. and soon to be Auburn and Lincoln!

Thank you Kevin and Swiftwater design! And thank you Mike Callahan for passing on the trade!