Something occurred to me this weekend that had never hit me before. In California we tend to think of ourselves as so exceptional that we never really realize we’re part of a club. But we are, The 11 western contiguous states have much in common and share many traits, It never really occurred to me before but the truth is out of the entire devils dozen we are the only state now that never allows beaver relocation.
Let that sink in for a moment. Since all western states are rightfully worried about water they have some crucial folks that all are thankful for the animal that saves it. Except the golden state, I actually didn’t realize Nevada allowed it until I remember this report from Nevada public Radio in 2018.
With Idaho’s own awkward relocation attempts this year that leaves just us. California. That forbids it. We’re a fricking island of intolerance.
I can’t even believe it,
It wasn’t always this way. In the 20’s and 30’s CDFG paid to correct the fur trade decimation and relocate beaver all across the state from Mendocino to Owens Valley. Then we were obviously hit in the head and ‘forgot’ they were native and pretended it had all been a dream. You know we are always condescending about states like Mississippi and Alabama and act like the people who live there are just not very bright but maybe we should be so very smug.
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