Martinez Beaver friend Mike Callahan is launching a beaver management facebook forum for questions and issues that arise in dealing with beavers. A million years ago when our beavers were on death row, it was hard work tracking anyone down to get questions answered. Ahh those were the days. Now he’s hoping for a simple point and click. Stop by, meet a few friends, show some support, and give him some more practice at answering the really tricky ones.

In news a little closer to home, Washington state columnist Nancy Bartlett wrote a lovely article discussing the beaver issues on Whidby island. Her basic theme was that we open-minded outdoorsy types proclaim to “love nature” until it gets in our way and causes interference in our plans, of which the beaver was an excellent example.

This was the quote that made me spurt coffee onto the keyboard and write her in admiration:

In yoga class one day, I heard a couple discussing which one of them would stop by Cenex on the way home to buy poison for the raccoons. Ohhmmm.

So we started chatting about beavers and flow devices, about the role beavers play with birds and salmon, and I mentioned was she aware of the researcher, Michael Pollock, in her neck of the woods and what he had to say about their relationship? She was not, but she was intrigued and said she would follow up. I was greeted yesterday morning with this column on her blog;

One thing I’m especially looking forward to is hearing from Michael Pollock. I first heard of him from Heidi Perryman, who wrote to me after reading a recent Tidal Life column. Heidi is the founder of Worth A Dam an organization formed to save the beavers of Alhambra Creek in Martinez, California. The group has done wonders, coming up with creative ways for humans and beavers to coexist. The town has embraced the effort and now has an annual Beaver Festival.

Ahhh well. It makes our city sound slightly more noble than its scaly underbelly would indicate, but still, it’s  spreading the beaver gospel and we’re happy about that! Thanks Nancy, and stop by Worth A Dam any time for friendly beaver information!