Beaver friend MBG from the UK points out this clip from the BBC about the effects of the Scottish Beaver Trial. It’s been startling how few beaver people are soundly familiar with this concept, even though they’ve done the same thing with a wimpy house plant or a scraggly sapling in their garden many times. Nice to see it explained on National television.
“If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year.
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said,
“That they could get it clear?”
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
Since news of the top kill’s progress is precariously changing by the minute, I will leave you with something more reliably hopeful: the generosity and creativity of children. Olivia Bouler is an 11 year old artist in New York who was feeling hopeless and overwhelmed by what she saw in the gulf. She responded powerfully by writing Audubon and pledging to help by donating one of her lovely bird drawings for any donor to the cause.
Dear Audubon Society,
As you are all aware of, the oil spill in the Gulf is devastating. My mom has already donated a lot of money to help, but I have an idea that may also help. I am a decent drawer, and I was wondering if I could sell some bird paintings and the profits to your organization. My mom is in touch with an art gallery where I live. She is going to sell them here. I also am hoping to go to Cornell in the future. I want to become an ornithologist. I know a few species of birds. I also acknowledge that this is breeding time for plovers, terns etc. I will do all in my strength to earn money. All I need is your OK. Here is a picture of a northern cardinal as a sample.
Thank you for your time.
Olivia
11 years and willing to help.
Her facebook page now boasts some 1871 fans, and other children are sending their own heart-stopping artwork to her as well. The Huffington Post reports that
Each person that makes a donation to the National Audubon Society, The Sierra Club, The Weeks Bay Foundation, The Mobile Bay Estuary Program or the National Wildlife Federation can e-mail Olivia’s mother to receive one of Olivia’s drawings. E-mails should be sent to nadinebouler@hotmail.com.
