Ahh memories. This story brings it all back.
Looks like Benicia State Park has beavers again. I’m not hearing any threat in this article, but we know the colony mysteriously diassapeared once so it would be good to keep an eye and ear out this time. The story of beavers at the park preceeds our Martinez beavers, but I’m enjoying the fantasy that at least one of the beavers in this colony is our disperser – all grown up and doing what mom and dad taught him or her!
The author spotted a freshly felled tree on the trail of the State Park. He appears surprised that folks weren’t more upset by the very natural action and writes,
Later I told the story of the tree killed by the beavers to Wolfram Alderson, executive director of the Benicia Tree Foundation. Here, I’m thinking, is someone who appreciates the value of trees, and wonder if he will object? Instead he smiles at me and says “Really, in Benicia?” We’ve all heard of the Martinez beavers, and the controversy they have engendered in our neighboring community. Benicia is not threatened by flooding the way Martinez is, so we can remain unconcerned about it.
For the record, the ‘proclaimed controversy’ consisted of a few powerful property owners, a handful of flood-fearing businesses and a council who wanted them dead, against EVERYONE ELSE. I guess that’s a ‘controversy’ in the same way that a single drop of food coloring turns a glass of water blue. Anyway it’s a fun article, which you should go read. And the next time Benicia needs beaver photos they should come to US! Sheesh!
Another mention comes from the Watershed Project in Richmond. I connected them years ago and somehow ended up receiving their newsletter. Look what’s in the latest issue.
Ana Weidenfeld’s brief article covers the basics. As beaver articles go it’s fairly luke warm but they do recommend coming to Martinez to see them for yourself, which is nice.
If you are in the mood to watch these fastidious and fun mammals at work, head into Martinez. The beavers are nocturnal, so make sure to bring your flashlight and go out in the early morning or late evening hours.
And a final note from Estes Park in Colorado, where you might remember a brave advocate wrote a letter to the editor about the irony of killing beavers to build a trail in the hometown of Enos Mills. It prompted my response, which apparently was printed.
Words from the past
Bill Melton raised the pointed question about what Enos Mills would say about removing a beaver dam to install a trail. The best way to answer that question is to go to the source. This is from his “In Beaver World,” which was written nearly a hundred years to go from his cabin in Estes Park.
“The dam is the largest and in many respects the most influential beaver work. Across a stream it is an inviting thorough fare for the folk of the wild. As soon as a dam is completed, it becomes a wilderness highway. It is used day and night. Across it go bears and lions. rabbits and wolves, mice and porcupines; chipmonks use it for a bridge, birds alight upon it, trout attempt to leap it and in the evening the deer cast their reflections with the willows in its quiet pond. Across it dash the pursuer and the pursued. Upon it take place battles and courtships. Often it is torn by hoof and claw. many a drama, romantic and picturesque, fierce and wild is staged upon the beaver dam. The Beaver dam gives new character to the landscape. It frequently alters the course of a stream and changes the topography. It introduces water into the scene. It nourishes new plant life. It brings new birds. It provides harbor and a home for fish throughout the changing seasons. It seizes sediment and soil from the rushing waters and it sends waters through subterranean ways to form and feed springs which give bloom to terraces below.”
p.74 Enos Mills In beaver World
Estes Park happens to be the home town of my hero, and I am from the home town of his hero. Enos Mills was the guest of John Muir here in Martinez in 1908. He well understood that an essential part of conservation work was done every night by the beaver. We would be happy to help you manage the pond in a way that takes care of your beavers.
Heidi Perryman, Ph.D. President and founder, Worth A Dam. martinezbeavers.org/wordpressMartinez, Calif.
And prompted this reply from the original author
Dear Editor:
Special thanks to Tom Gootz and the other members of the Trail and Beaver Pond committee for working with EVRPD and the contractor to attempt to find a solution, suitable to everyone, with regards to the beaver pond and dam on Fish Creek Road. It appears that the beaver will be the losers.
I better understand now that some citizens feel that the beaver cause damage to the community and should be relocated. But construction this fall, which the committee attempted to extend to next spring, is not the answer. The beaver will most likely abandon the site and be left to the plight of the winter for their future. Sad for the beaver and sad for the Estes Valley.
I was most pleased that Dr. Heidi Perryman of Martinez, Calif., read my “letter to the editor” of earlier this summer where I said, “What would Enos Mills do”? Dr. Perryman, who states that her hero is Mr. Mills, quoted from his book, “In Beaver World.” She also offered her company’s assistance (Worth A Dam) to manage the pond and take care of the beavers.
What’s the rush EVRPD? Why not contact Dr. Perryman and let the committee take another shot at helping to save the beaver? Enos Mills was a very wise man when it came to the ways of nature and man. Let’s take a moment to stop and reflect on his long ago comments that today are still very relevant to the future of our beloved Estes Park Valley.
Bill Melton Estes Park
Worth A Dam a company? Well, we do vacuum when we have the gang over to dinner to talk about beavers, that’s like “company” right? Honestly all the answers you need are on the website but if you can’t find the solution Sherri Tippie is about an hour away, so let her come show you how to protect your trails AND your beavers.
