We must have been VERY good little beaver girls and boys this year because there are plenty of presents under the tree for us. Starting with a fantastic article to snuggle up and read from the UK site Reaction. You can bet our friends at the Beaver Trust are plenty excited.

Beaver fever – the wonderful benefits of bringing back the little people

Across the Northern hemisphere our pagan ancestors understood that the humble beaver is the key to the healthy functioning of land and water. The modern term “keystone species” may as well have been invented to describe the pivotal ecological role played by beavers. Native Americans revered the North American beaver (castor canadensis), referring to them as “little people” and holding in the highest esteem the great parallel beaver society that lived and worked alongside and in symbiosis with people.

Ahh you just have to love any article that starts off with a paragraph like this. I won’t ruin it for you and let you get your hot chocolate and go curl up under the tree to read the whole thing. I’ll just post one more irresistible quote,

But here is some really good news: the beaver is back, along with all of its magic, and it is already transforming our landscapes. That is absolutely something to celebrate. So be happy, and if you don’t yet have beavers in your area, ask why not.

WHY NOT indeed? Ohh that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Almost as big a smile as my very cheerful conversation with the reporter for the Sonoma Tribune yesterday who contacted me after I wrote her that the photos were otters and wanted to chat about cities and tools for living with beavers.  She didn’t want them harmed or messed with and was chuffed when I told her that articles like hers were the very best way to save them. She admitted she didn’t know much about beavers and asked the most beautiful question I have ever been posed. A question that put everything in stark and perfect contrast.

I knew right THEN it was Christmas and Santa was happy with me. And since he’s obviously happy with you too I’ll let you know what it was. My god I love it more than anything and want it on a tshirt and a coffee mug. Maybe on the back it could say “No. But they’re cute.”

HOHOHOHOHO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you have a splendid day of celebration with friends and loved ones. I wish you cheer that’s not full of glitter and sparkle, but brimming with hygge so that your spirits are warmed, replenished and ready to meet the new year. It will be a bright year for beavers, I am sure, but one in which much will be asked of the brave souls who defend them!

I wrote this more than a decade ago and I still it still makes me smile. Click the video if you want to sing round the terminal with your family.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Two adult beavers and A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Three watching women<
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Five City Council!
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Six baby ducklings
Five City Council!
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Seven on committee
Six baby ducklings
Five City Council!
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Eight eager muskrats
Seven on committee
Six baby ducklings
Five City Council!
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Nine children laughing
Eight eager muskrats
Seven on committee
Six baby ducklings
Five City Council!
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Ten news reporters
Nine children laughing
Eight eager muskrats
Seven on committee
Six baby ducklings
Five City Council!
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Eleven cameras snapping
Ten news reporters
Nine children laughing
Eight eager muskrats
Seven on committee
Six baby ducklings
Five City Council!
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Twelve hatching turtles
Eleven cameras snapping
Ten news reporters
Nine children laughing
Eight eager muskrats
Seven on committee
Six baby ducklings
Five City Council!
Four furry kits
Three watching women
Two adult beavers and
A Dam in Alham-b-ra Creek