Tag: Enos Mills

Another Heroic Mountie Rescue

heidi08 Beavers March 28, 2016

In colder areas, that thaw more slowly, beaver dispersal comes closer to March or April than our February. Unfortunately, for our low-to-the-ground pilgrims, waterways are often flanked with roadways, leaving many beavers to get hit by cars. Sometimes though, there is a nice Canadian Mountie on hand to help guide them.

Beaver Holds Up Traffic, RCMP Officer Can’t Get It To Move

A beaver and a Mountie squared off in a battle of Canadian icons Friday on a stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway. Greater Victoria police were conducting speed enforcement on the Malahat highway on Vancouver Island when they noticed a motorcyclist trying to slow down traffic.

“One of my RCMP colleagues went up to find out what the commotion was, and it was a beaver in the right hand of two lanes,” he said. According to CFAX 1010, a family of beavers was initially holding up traffic, but this one just didn’t want to budge.
“It wasn’t particularly fazed by anything going on around it, it was quite obstinate and quite happily sat there in the middle of this laneway,” Dunstan said. Eventually, the beaver backed off and moved off the road on its own.

“What can be more iconic than an RCMP officer — a Mountie — moving along this great Canadian symbol, the beaver,” Dunstan told the Victoria Times-Colonist. “It was perfect.”

That poor beaver wasn’t about to give up on his quest to find new territory, but thank goodness the officer was on hand to get him to try another way. I love that this made the Huffington Post. And especially love that their slide show of beavers are all actually beavers!

I’m curious about the report that there was a family initially. Not sure what that means. But I’ve been thinking about the part of Enos Mills “In Beaver World” I’m still scratching my head about. And that was the chapters about beaver migration. He wrote that from time to time they moved in large herds to find new habitat.

Seriously.

“The annual migration is a different affair. This has been noted for some hundred and fifty years or more and probably gone on for centuries. This peculiar migration might be called a migratory outing. In it all members of the colony appear to have taken part, leaving home in June and scattering as the season advanced. Rambles were made up and down stream, and other beaver settlements visited, brief stays were made at lakes, adventures had up shallow brooks and daring journeys made on portages. The country was explored. The dangers and restrictions imposed during the last 25 years appear in some localities to have checked this movement, and in others to have stopped it completely. But in most it still goes on, although probably not usually enjoyed by mothers and children except to a limited extent.”

Enos Mills In Beaver World

This is how beaver once found new streams, new homes, or new mates. And how parents made sure their children were starting out correctly. Our snaking roadway dangers mean it no longer occurs except for maybe in remotest areas like that massive beaver dam in Canada that’s visible from space. It’s charming to imagine though. Beavers on a ‘migratory outing.’ If you haven’t yet been christened by reading Mills, you really should.

This crossed my path yesterday and I just had to share. If you were raised on King Arthur’s ‘lady of the lake‘ mythology you’ll understand.

New Brunswick invents the wheel!

heidi08 Creative Solutions, Educational, Environmental September 16, 2015

I would give them a harder time for using VERY old tools and acting like they’re flying to the moon, but it’s NB and they never, never, never have done anything except trapping. So Hurray for them! (And god I hope it works…)

Professor trying to out-build beavers at UNB woodlot

The system makes it possible to alter the water level so it’s not high enough to flood out the roads that allow access into the lot and not low enough that the beavers would need to build their dams higher. (CBC News)

A system installed in the University of New Brunswick’s woodlot in Fredericton to maintain water levels is expected to ease tensions between humans and beavers.

The area has a long history of beaver-built structures impacting human-built ones with the flood waters that result from the construction of beaver dams.

“This area has been a problem area for quite some time, for the last six years I’ve been here,” said Jason Golding, the university’s director of forest land.

“We’ve finally taken measures to do something here.”

The system — dubbed the “Beaver Leveling System” — works to allow Golding control over water levels in a given area rather than the beavers.

“It’s perforated pipes surrounded by a cage so it doesn’t fill up with sludge and debris,” said Golding.

“On the opposite side of the road is a pipe that I can manually manage the level of the water on the other side of the road.”

Golding said having control over the water levels allows him to keep the road from being washed out by waters raised by beaver activity.

“If I want the water low, I take the pipe out at ground level, and the water will spill out,” said Golding.

“If I want the wetland higher I just have to add more pipe.”

Golding said the project wasn’t cheap, costing around $5,000. But included in the cost was a back-up system in case the rodents ever managed to somehow block the leveler.

Wow. 5000 dollars for a pre-built unit that wasn’t even designed for the site. Plus your labor to install it. I’m feeling more than a little worried about this. Especially since when it inevitably fails everyone is going to say, “well we tried it your way, beaver-huggers, but it didn’t work – guess we have to trap.”

“As a precaution, we’ve also built a spill-way,” said Golding.

Oh and that. That worries me a LOT.

Apparently it’s so unheard of to use a flow device in New Brunswick that folks have been showing up terrified that it’s a trap. Which tells you something about the community pressure that got them interested in this process in the first place. I wish they had just done an ounce more research.

Don’t you?

From the Profane to the Sacred

heidi08 Beavers elsewhere, Creative Solutions, Who's saving beavers now? December 14, 2014

What a dam nuisance beavers can be

EVERY DAY, George Darden digs a small ditch to drain water off a dirt road that goes to the back of the farm in Pungo. And every night, beavers dam the ditch to block the water from running off.

The Dardens also see stumps of trees, gnawed off by the beavers, and of course, they see the dam that the beavers build every night across the Dardens’ ditch. That’s because beavers build dams in response to the sound of running water.

The Dardens can’t win for losing. “Busy as a beaver” is no lie.

Ahh the patient Dardens and their exceedingly rare, rebuilding beavers. That almost ~~never~~ always happens! I really shouldn’t complain. This is a fairly gentle article for Virginia, and I’m not entirely hopeless about these beavers or the Dardens for that matter.

Pete Akers, district biologist with the department, said the beaver population has rebounded successfully in Virginia because the animals are no longer being trapped for their fur. Beavers are in just about every watershed in the state, and as the young grow up, they move out and go up or down stream.

“We like having them here,” Akers said. “They are great for the wetlands and the ecosystem, but they can be a nuisance to landowners.

“Beavers are very industrious creatures,” he added.

The Dardens have some choices. They can have the beavers trapped, which does not appeal to them. Other options include a device called a Clemson pond leveler – a pipe that would drain water off the road in a way that the beavers can’t hear the water running.

The beavers will be keeping the Dardens busy, too.

Whenever we see biologists from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries talking about the benefits of beavers we are very, very happy. Even if their solutions are outdated, they aren’t wrong, and that’s progress in my book. I will contact Mr. Akers about updated developments and make sure he has resources for new remedies from Mike and Skip. I will try and find the Dardens too, because I already like them and want to help.

Rusty Cohn who has been photographing the Napa beavers received a nice response from the community website Next Door where he is posting about them. He gave me permission to pass it along:

Rusty, I just want to thank you for introducing me to the beaver and keeping all of us informed on his activities. I enjoyed your photos and info so much, I shared it with my 7 year old granddaughter who’s a 2nd grader at Mt. George and when she had to do a presentation on a Napa Treasure, she chose your beaver, did research on the species, copied a couple of your photos (I hope that’s ok) for her board and did her presentation this morning. She was so excited to have something so unique to share. Thanks again.

Hurray for your 2nd grader and hurray for Rusty for making this known! Imagine if this were the story all across the Bay Area, or all across California or all across the Nation. Local people watching and protecting their own beaver family and children reaping the benefit as their urban stream becomes an exciting wilderness. I believe Enos Mills liked the idea so much he included in his final chapter of In Beaver World: The original conservationists.
Wouldn’t this look great on the side of a truck? Consider this is an early Christmas present for Mike Callahan, who should really make a donation to Worth A Dam because self-perpetuating slogans are worth a peck of money. He won’t use it, but mark my words, someone in the next six months will steal it. You saw it here first.

And since its the season we got the tree and the manger up yesterday, complete with a new tiny baby beaver in the crib. Thanks Erika!

I know this is a non-denominational site but we need to celebrate the occasion because to my way of thinking pope Francis just ruled that beavers go to heaven.

During a recent public appearance, Francis comforted a boy whose dog had died, noting, “One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.”

Theologians say Francis – who took his papal name from the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi – was only speaking conversationally. But the remark is being seen by some as a reversal of conservative Catholic theology that states because they are soulless, animals can’t go to heaven.

Just in time for Earth day!

heidi08 Beavers elsewhere, Earth Day, Educational, Environmental April 18, 2013

I’m not talking about John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Howard Zanhiser or Teddy Roosevelt. The greatest conservationist is the beaver (Castor canadensis), the largest rodent in North America.

Nice column from Paul Andersen of the Aspen Times. I am always thrilled when new believers preach the beaver gospel. Do you think he’s a friend of Sherri Tippie? Or do you think he’s just enormously observant?

Ethically, we owe the beaver his due as a co-inhabitant. Practically, we need the beaver to restore river systems and retain storage. This is particularly critical as climate change and weather modification threaten streamflows and all the life that depends on healthy rivers.

As for the efficacy of the beaver as an engineer, there is nothing like it. Its dams are resilient, its lodges are impregnable, and its uncanny phonetic trigger to the sound of running water keeps it perpetually motivated to plug holes and slow the flow.

He goes on to cite wikipedia about Glynnis’ Alberta study and the importance of beavers to water storage. Honestly, I could make a cup of tea and sit and read this column all day. Preferably with a class photo of all our beaver friends he’s quoting. Obviously he’s been influenced by own own wikipedia Rick!

Regarded as a “keystone” species, beavers are known to increase biodiversity by forming wetlands and riparian habitats, which are the foundation of most other ecosystems.

Even their gnawing of trees has been linked to riparian health as more diverse and healthier foliage replaces woods and shrubs cut by beavers. Here is the ultimate, renewable, sustainable life cycle.

I like Patrick’s idea of low dams. I would like it even better if we let the beavers build them.

Great work Paul! You obviously know beavers are Worth A Dam. Don’t hesitate to look us up if you need anything in the futher! Oh, and one more thing:

“The greatest conservationist is the beaver (Castor canadensis), the largest rodent in North America.”

You do realize your quoting here, right? Check out the title of the last chapter of Enos Mills “In beaver World”. It was published 100 years ago and may have something to say on the subject. If you’ve never read it I would suggest you check it out!

Friends Near and Far

heidi08 Beaver Behavior, Beavers elsewhere, City Reports, Creative Solutions, Educational, Environmental October 14, 2011

look what i did — Beaver kit enjoys freshly chopped willow 2007: Perryman

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.