Last week we reported on a beaver issue in in Manitou Springs Colorado that had encouraged enough support to bring out Sherri Tippie to consult. Sadly the property owner brought in a trapper before a solution could be found. But there was enough of a fuss created that I wrote the city council and paper thinking it could be different next time around.
This is the paper’s follow-up today.
Manny the beaver’ lives: Video captures evidence
Our Nov. 14 cover story (Beavers drive a wedge between Manitou Springs environmentalists, business owners) drew responses from readers empathetic to both the plight of Manitou’s euthanized beavers, and to the decision of a motel owner to protect her property.
Two readers’ letters are printed below. But perhaps the most intriguing development since we published the story is this video from Roy Chaney, director of aquatics and fitness at the Manitou Pool and Fitness Center.
Nice to see one beaver family member remains. Prior conversations with Sherri Tippie suggest that this might be mom since she’s usually the last to be caught. Let’s hope that she has a bit of a food cache somewhere and can build up the dam before the freeze sets in.
They published my letter in full with links to our website and the beaver institute so I’m happy.
I was sorry to read about the difficulties with beavers in Manitou Springs this morning, beaver challenges have become more common and many cities struggle to find resolution. Unfortunately, trapping is a short-term solution since population recovery means beavers will return to adequate habitat often within the year. In my city of Martinez California we faced a similar issue when beavers moved into our city creek in 2007. There were concerns from local business and residents about the potential for flooding and damage to trees. While the initial plan was to trap the beavers, residents protested this plan and recommended an alternative solution. We weren’t lucky to have an experienced woman like Sherri Tippie near by – so we had to bring in expert Skip Lisle (Sherri’s colleague) 3000 miles from Vermont to solve the problem.
That was a long time ago, the Castor Master Skip installed controlled flooding in our city for a decade which allowed the beavers to safely remain, bringing birds, wildlife, steelhead and tourism to the creek. We wrapped established trees and planted new ones. We even celebrate with a yearly beaver festival, and were featured in National Geographic and Ranger Rick Magazine this year.
Luckily for you, it is MUCH easier to solve beaver problems than it was a decade ago. There are now books, websites and even videos to teach you how. There are plenty of reasons even businesses should appreciate beaver, including drought and fire protection. I am hopeful that you can work together to make a plan on how to solve this issue next time. We would be happy to consult along the way.
Our motto is, any city smarter than a beaver, can keep a beaver – and knows why they should.
Heidi Perryman, Ph.D.
Our story told in just the right places! But I especially loved the other letter from a local educator whose class room had been persuaded that beavers matter by Jari’s outstanding documentary.
As a current educator and former landscape business owner, I was both sickened and exhilarated after reading “Leave It To Beavers.”
In September, my students studied beavers with vigor, and enjoyed a field trip to view a beautiful beaver lodge and scout out beaver “signs.” They are still talking about beavers to this day. The children embraced a beaver’s place in our ecosystem, and after viewing the PBS Nature film Leave It to Beavers, they realized that awareness and education allows for all of us to coexist peacefully.
I sympathize with Evelyn Waggoner when the beavers felled trees and shrubs on her property. That is devastating! For 25 years, I attempted to manage voles, deer, and bunnies in residential gardens. The damage caused was monumental, frustrating and costly. However, the very best control I found was barrier methods. Live and let live! If they can’t get to the plants, they will move on.
I believe that education and awareness will help protect these amazing creatures!
Stacey Kaye
Lake George, CO
I also got a nice response back from the mayor and city council woman supportive of the beavers, so something tells me there might be a better resolution in their not too distant future. Fingers crossed.
Finally, reader Sheri Hartstein requested this yesterday to comfort our battered-by-the-camp fire hearts. Of course I had to oblige. In case you haven’t seen the meme the hat says “Rake America great again”.
