Hmm Ben shares our horror about the beaver destroying ponds story, and says that I’m not the only one who suggested a companion piece to his book but written for children is worth doing. Gosh, it’s too bad he doesn’t know a nice child psychologist who can help.

In the meantime the National Geographic beaver headline is making the rounds and I keep getting emails from people who are happy to see my name come up in the article, which is fun. And there are more beaver headlines just waiting to be explored.

Eager beavers could benefit British agriculture

“Beaver engineering at Combeshead, particularly the building of dams has transformed the environment, increasing water storage and creating diverse wetlands,” Dr. Alan Puttock of the University of Exeter told the Daily Mail. “Our research has shown that beaver activity can slow the flow of water following rain storms potentially providing a valuable component to future flood and land management strategies.”

The study found that the beaver dams prevent nutrients and soil from being carried downstream during by trapping sediment, benefiting soils both upstream and downstream.

A study released in May found that 70 percent of the sediment trapped by the dams had eroded from grassland fields farther upstream.

“We are heartened to discover that beaver dams can go a long way to mitigate this soil loss and also trap pollutants which lead to the degradation of our water bodies,” Dr. Richard Brazier, who led the study, said in a press release.

Me too! I am heartened by the good beavers can do and the good you have done in broadcasting it. Thank you!

Now a great dose of ‘heartening’ watch this video sent to me by the watchful eyes of Robin Ellison. Tell me honestly if that isn’t the sweetest thing you will see all week. I  mean sitting in a tubby turtle pool is always wonderful, but this just takes all the cakes.