Well after hosting two conference of really brilliant people explaining to the world why beavers matter I guess a little bit of that brilliance has seeped in through its gills., Check out the new historical markers from Maryland’s Parks.

Nature’s Engineer

The American Beaver, Castor condenses

North American beaver build dams and wetlands that are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world. Beavers are considered a “keystone species,” one that has a greater impact on its ecosystems in relation to its abundance. Before Europeans arrived in North America, the beaver population was estimated to be as high as 400 million. They were nearly trapped to extinction by 1900. They have made a slow comeback and now are estimated to number as many as 15 million.

People sometimes feel that beaver ponds are a nuisance that cause flooding but in fact their dams slow down streams during storms holding water, and slowly releasing it later. Their ability to regulate their environment is what provides stable living conditions for so many other species. Beaver ponds have slow-flowing water, creating an incredibly diverse habitat and nursery for animals including waterfowl, amphibians, fish, and mammals. Beaver ponds are also very effective at increasing groundwater recharge and retention and reducing the amount of sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus that flow into the Chesapeake Bay.

How cool is THAT? I am so impressed and jealous. First Napa and now Maryland! I wonder if evert historical marker you see represents such a long drawn out battle and victory, First the good idea and then all the powerful forces saying why it can never happen and then years of struggle and more fantastic research and then just. when everyone had given up hope of it ever happening —SUCCESS!

This is the really surprising part:

Coexisting with a Busy Engineer

Looking out in the marsh you will see the Flexible Pond Leveler™ that was installed to help prevent the park’s resident beavers from flooding the hiking trail. Regulating the water level allows both park visitors and beavers to enjoy Black Marsh Wildlands.

Erected by Maryland Park Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Wow Wow Wow! They say when you teach you learn twice,. And I say when you save wetlands and wildlife by allowing beavers to remain and installing a flow device so you can keep them doing their jobs AND install a historical marker to teach a million other people why you did it you learn a MILLION TIMES!’

Great work everyoneand special thanks to Scott McGill and Mike Callahan who made this all happen,.