FIRES AND FLOODS AND BEAVERS, OH MY!

Fires and floods are the punishing destructive forces of nature that even the bible recognizes. The answer to both might be staring us in the face. What if what we needed all along wasn’t an ark, but a some beavers?

The National Trust is preparing to release a small number of beavers into the south of England to help manage the landscape and combat flooding.

In a scheme to combat flooding, the National Trust is planning to release a small number of beavers in England. Initially, two pairs of beavers will be released into large woodland enclosures in Holnicote, Somerset, near tributaries to the River Aller. A third pair of beavers will be released into an enclosure at Valewood, on the edge of the South Downs, West Sussex.

Beavers, once native to Britain, were hunted to extinction in the 1500s, although small numbers have been observed in the wild in Scotland and Devon in recent years. Beavers are considered a ‘keystone’ species due to their work building dams in rivers, which significantly affects the landscape and ecosystem around them. Through dam building, beavers help restore precious wetlands through erosion reduction, downstream flood control and water cleansing. However, scientists have also raised concerns about the volumes of carbon being released into the atmosphere from soil as a result of beaver damming.

That’s right. Beavers to the rescue. Again. Although no solution is without its risks. Noah might deserve full disclosure.

“Beavers are nature’s engineers and can create remarkable wetland habitats that benefit a host of species, including water voles, wildfowl, craneflies, water beetles and dragonflies,” said David Elliot, National Trust lead ranger for Valewood. “These in turn help support breeding fish and insect-eating birds such as spotted flycatchers.”

Well said.

Yes they do. And if prevent flooding’s not enough, maybe you’ll be interested to know they can also reduce the risk of fire.

Don’t believe me? Ask a scientist.

Smokey the Beaver: Can Beaver Dams Help Protect Riparian Vegetation During Wildfire?

When beavers move onto a creek, they build dams that slow the flow of water and spread it out over the landscape. That stored water can help keep the entire landscape wet and lush, even when everywhere else is dry. People have seen beaver-dammed areas stay green through droughts before, and this past year photographs of green beaver wetlands surrounded by the char of wildfire showed up in the news media. Although we are seeing this happen, there weren’t any studies proving that places with beaver damming are burned less by wildfires than places without beaver damming. We looked at five different large wildfires that burned in places with beavers, and use satellite data of plant greenness to see whether or not the plants actually stayed green and healthy during the fires if they were near beaver dams. Our data confirms what people had already seen happening: places with beaver stay green even during wildfires, places without beavers do not. For a short (45-second) animation of this phenomenon,

Wow! December 11 in San Francisco. That would be our own heroine Emily Fairfax who wowed the world with her smart research and stop motion film last year. Emily started work as an assistant professor at Cal State Channel Islands and if she keeps this up I’m expecting great things for her and beavers.

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Robert Frost

MR. TOADS BEAVER RIDE

heidi08 Beavers, Beavers and Fire Prevention, Beavers and Frogs November 21, 2019

Beavers to the rescue in Colorado! And after all Sherri Tippie has done for them. it’s about time!

CPW hopes enhanced wetlands will help boreal toad survival

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologists are working statewide to revive populations of these high-altitude amphibians that live from 8,000 to 13,000 feet. But as is the nature of wildlife research, biologists will not know for at least three years if the work will help toads survive.

To start the process, Cammack and his crew collected eggs from two wetlands in the Triangle Pass area near Crested Butte. The fertilized eggs, collected in early summer, were then taken to CPW’s Native Aquatic Species Hatchery in Alamosa, where they were hatched in captivity. By late summer, they grew into tadpoles and were ready for stocking in the San Juans.
In the high country above the San Luis Valley, the West Fork Fire in 2013 burned through 100,000 acres of forest.

Paul Jones, a now retired CPW biologist, had seen research that suggested burned areas might prevent development of the chytrid fungus. He also knew, based on historic records, that toads had once inhabited the area. So, he worked with the Rio Grande National Forest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project and the San Luis Valley Water Conservation District to build small levies in a wetland area to enhance and enlarge optimal reproductive boreal toad habit. The area mimics wetlands created by beaver ponds — favorite breeding areas for toads.

When nothing else works, imitate beavers. That’s my mottow. Or encourage actual beavers to be themselves. That works too.

“We’re working on creative ideas to help bring these toads back. Building these ponds in this burn area is one idea. Hopefully, one of them will work, but it will take time,” Cammack said. And he’s hopeful: “With wildlife we have to manage with optimism.”

I’m sure you meant to say “We have to manage wildlife with beavers.” That’s the secret cure you know. Off to impeach, Gosh it’s hard work being a citizen.

BEAVER SONG SINGALONG

heidi08 Beaver Book November 21, 2019

Stacy Studebaker and Kay Underwood’s ‘Beavers song’ arrived yesterday. It is the most truly amazing book with the most truly breathtaking illustrations you will ever, ever see. You must stop what you are doing right now and go buy a copy. I’m honestly not kidding.

Stacy can sell directly to you if you send $15.00 each plus Priority postage. She can get three books in one Priorityenvelope@$7.35. A Sense of Place Press P.O. Box 970 Kodiak, AK. 99615

The beaver and wildlife illustrations are amazing but the salmon alone will change your entire life, In the interest of NOAA fisheries and science in general I just have to share.

Off to impeach, and you go mail your check so we can swap details. I want teeshirts and coffee mugs made. Do you think that can happen?

BUY BEAVER BONDS!

heidi08 Beavers November 18, 2019

It turns out Canada is so cool even their war bond posters are amazing. Don’t believe me? This original came up at auction for a cool 1500 last. night, and I immediately stared hunting in the couch cushions for change.

What a singularly AWESOME poster and sentiment. If the price is a little steep for you too you’ll be happy to know I found the print on amazon for 10 dollars. Not an original but still very very cool.

Stocking stuffers anyone?

LATE BREAKING

Cheryl just sent me this photo of the aDORABLE beaver that has been hanging out on an island at MVSD in Martinez. He doesn’t appear to be making a lodge so we wondered if he was sick, but he surely has no problem with his appearance or grooming, does he?

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO SAVE A BEAVER

heidi08 Beavers November 17, 2019

It’s late fall in the Sierra foothills and winter still feels like its a mile a way, There’s no beaver news in my inbox so it seems like as good a time as any to share the remarks that came with the citizen of the year award. I have since learned that in addition to Mark Thompson who delivered it was helped along by Sherida Bush of the John Muir Association. So thank you both very much,

When a family of beavers moved into Alhambra Creek 12 years ago, the City Council yielded to pressure from downtown landowners and decided it was best to kill them. Apparently, the Council decided they were more powerful than Godzilla and would ultimately destroy downtown by flooding it.

Heidi, believing there was a better way than killing these beautiful animals, which had gotten a lot of attention downtown. She spearheaded a meeting to organize the community to fight this travesty. She’s been the catalyst for forming an organization called “Worth a Dam,” and convincing this city that there are better ways to handle beavers moving into town than to kill them.

She started the first Beaver Festival before the Council had made its decision because she figured it would be harder to kill the beavers if there was a party for them. There has been a festival every year since. She consulted experts and highlighted the “Beaver Deceiver,” which would allow the beavers to build their dam and coexist without the threat of flooding.

Due to her efforts, with community support, the Council capitulated, and the beavers became nationwide celebrities. Heidi has been great with garnering publicity and support of all kinds for our local beavers, and beavers in general.

She has had influence internationally through her research and scientific connections as well as connecting with just plan folk. People from other parts of the country have come to Martinez to see how we co-exist with the beavers. Heidi has highlighted beavers as true “ecosystem engineers.”

She has brought awareness that beavers are not only a keystone species (which means they have a disproportionate effect on their environment), they create a community of diverse plant and animal life wherever they settle. More people are educated to the benefits beavers bring, as well as their importance to our ecosystems. She has also helped to teach cities, ranchers and landowners how to co-exist with them, instead of viewing them as a nuisance animal that needs to be exterminated.

Locally, of course, her impact is known. People may not know what a wide impact she has had in other areas. She co-authored a research paper on the historical range of beavers in the Sierra Nevada in California, where they were not believed to have lived before. This is huge for the future of the animal in these areas. Beavers can now be considered a native species where they were presumed to have never lived.

What started as a crusade to save a little family of beavers has grown exponentially to save so many more. In turn, that has supported ecosystems and wildlife of all kinds. Heidi has been busy as a ….well, you know, championing these animals and has helped re-frame the perception of them and their place in our rural and urban communities.

The beavers in Martinez created a better ecosystem, with a much greater diversity of fish, birds, reptiles and mammals. Heidi also helped create a community of people who care about the environment and the wildlife it supports.

Not only have the beavers created a better ecosystem in Martinez, but so has Heidi. Her ongoing efforts most notably the Beaver Festival have offered not only aeducation on our beavers, but also a venue for many other local environmental and community groups.

With all Heidi has done for Martinez and continues to do for our community, the Thousand Friends of Martinez is proud to present her the Citizen of the Year award for 2019.