S’IGEIDI AND HEIDI ARE FRIENDS

heidi08 Beavers December 24, 2024

Happy Christmas Eve! This fun story caught my eye and I’ll tell you why. Allow me to explain the complicated journey of being a child with a german spelling to a name in an America. “I before e except after C nonsense”

There was always a moment of suspense as I looked at class room valentine’s and saw the truly creative ways my classmates wrote my name. Think of that as you read this report and maybe you’ll understand my delight.

Lingít Word of the Week: Sʼigeidí — Beaver

This is Lingít Word of the Week. Each week, we feature a Lingít word voiced by master speakers. Lingít has been spoken throughout present-day Southeast Alaska and parts of Canada for over 10,000 years.

This week’s word is s’igeidí, or beaver. Listen to the audio below to learn how to say s’igeidí.

PS look down at your keyboard and try to see what letter is directly next to G. How many times can you imagine I accidentally typed Geidi at the end of an email?

Kaxwaan Éesh George Davis: S’igeidí.

That means beaver.

Here are some sentences:

Kaxwaan Éesh George Davis: S’igeidích wusiḵít.

The beaver dams it.

Keihéenák’w John Martin: Héen x̱oo kat aaní yéi yá s’igeidí has du aaní yéi yatee.

Among the surface of the water, this is the beaverʼs place.

Keiyishí Bessie Coolie: Ḵukaltʼéexʼ káxʼ sʼigeidí x̱oodé ana.átch.

In the spring, people go beaver trapping.

Ḵaakal.áat Florence Marks Sheakley: Chʼa hás has du koowú has alʼéix̱ yá sʼig̱eidí.

The beavers dance with their tails.

You can hear each installment of Lingít Word of the Week on the radio throughout the week.

SAN DIEGO WILL BE EATING ENTIRE CROWS

heidi08 Beavers December 23, 2024

Our California historic prevalence papers changed minds successfully from Eureka to Santa Barbara but the county of San Diego has dug in its heels and insists beavers NEVER graced their sun-bleached shores until they were introduced by Arroyo-toad hating bandits.

Talking to them has been the equivalent of arguing with a four year old who sticks his fingers into his ears when his mother reminds him gently of bedtime and keeps repeating “I can’t hear you.”

Well get ready Daygo because sometimes DNA speaks a whole lot louder than words,

Scientists, students share findings on ancient beavers, mysterious sea floor bumps and thick winter air

It’s time to start emptying the notebook following the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, which happened from Dec. 9-13 in Washington, D.C.

More than 25,000 scientists shared their work during those five days. Here is a sampling.

Where have beavers been? Neve Baker of the University of Minnesota uses ancient traces of DNA in pond sediments to determine if beavers have lived in a place. Last year, she found signs that beavers were present 7,500 years ago in a pond within Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Beavers don’t live there now.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials are interested in stocking some areas with beavers to help restore wetlands and provide more fire resiliency.

Well well well. Buckle up butter cup it’s time for San Diego to eat a whole lot of crow.

A BANDIT FOR BIODIVERSITY IN BELGIUM

I’ve been saving the best for last. This is the PERFECT listen for the Sunday before the big day. Belgium is an ideal destination for a snowy Christmas adventure. With steaming bowls of melted chocolate and creme in every cafe showing Starbuck a thing or two. Whether you are wrapping last minute gifts or baking a struedel this the fun listen you didn’t know you needed.

Lots of us are bogged down with heavy environmental regulations and the delicately needed to calm our anxious neighbors. Olivia’s story offers blessed and naughty relief from all that. Just for an hour climb alongside the Robinhood sleigh of the Beaver Bandit.

You’re welcome.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE BEAVER CORPS

heidi08 Beavers December 21, 2024

What a fantastic profile. Colorado really knocked it outta the park with BeaverCon. I can’t download the video to post it here but you should click on the photo and see it yourself.

‘Beaver Corps’ help maintain balance between ecosystems and people

We’ve all heard of the Marine Corps and Army Corps of Engineers, but what about the “Beaver Corps?” There is actually such a thing. NBC News’ Brad Hicks explains.

ROB RICH AND CASTOROLOGY

heidi08 Beavers December 20, 2024

What a great interview. Rob Rich crossed my path years ago when he was working with Ben Goldfarb writing for High Country News. He commented on the website that he was really enjoying reading about our beavers. I can’t find the audio so you are going to have to click thru to the player but it is really worth it. Trust me.

Castorology (BEAVERS) with Rob Rich

Orange teeth! Vanilla butts! Architecture with twigs! Olde-timey joke books? Field naturalist, conservationist, wildlife tracker and “beaver believer” Rob Rich works with the National Wildlife Federation’s coordination of the Montana Beaver Working Group and answers all of our Castorological questions about: baby beavers, tooth tools, lodges, dams, the sound of water, the slap of a tail, who eats beaver and why, beavers in peril, in folklore, in smut books, in your neighborhood and in your dreams forever. Also: yes we discuss slang.