Because the beaver isn't just an animal; it's an ecosystem!

Tag: Ian Timothy


Do you remember the character of ‘Slapper’ the giant beaver from the exciting young adult tale of climate change from Leaf and the Rushing Waters? The author Jo Marshall is publishing the next volume which will reportedly have my endoresement on the back cover, and she just wrote me with the exciting newsflash that the character of ‘Slapper’ was so popular it has been picked up by a comic book company in Chicago and they want her to write the first episodes. We wish her and slapper all success!

And of course our other rising star, the now-18-year old Ian Timothy, is getting ready to transcend our trajectory entirely. He recently asked me for a letter of recommendation for college, so I know well the heights he is marching towards. This week he is in Miami at the YoungArts Week immersed in more creative youth than you can imagine. That’s him holding the camera, and watch the short film for an introduction to what’s going on.

Ian you are definitely not in Kansas Kentucky any more. Gosh, we are so proud of you. Have a wonderful time, make remarkable inspiring friends, and broaden and deepen every one of your dreams.

Other successes? Well, in the past three days I’ve got Michael Pollock interested in a beavers-and-salmon article for Bay Nature, which has done a great job about reporting on salmon, but not yet picked up the beaver gauntlet. I may have been able to lure science writer Joe Eaton into pursuing it and the difference it will make for salmon (and Beavers) all over the state. Joe is a free lance writer/naturalist and the editor of SFEP newsletter who has written my favorite articles about mom beaver, ever.  He would be the very best man for the job, if we can just get him intrigued enough! On a related note research Rick says we’re two weeks away from the rough draft of the historic prevalence of beavers in the coastal rivers article, so things are moving in a very good direction!


Guess who has won best animated short film in Burbank this weekend? Kentucky’s own Ian Timothy for Beaver Creek Episode 7, that’s who. Here’s what he had to say about the evening on his facebook page where I found out about it:

Beaver Creek was screened in the Burbank International Film Festival and won Best Animated Short Film. The festival was great, Jeff Rector was an incredible host, I got to know animation judge and Disney art director Ed Ghertner. At the Awards Dinner I meet Matthew Senreich(Co-Creator) and Trisha Gum (Director) of Robot Chicken. I also met The Simpsons director Matt Kirkland, 7 time Academy Award winning special effects makeup artist Rick Baker, actor and musician Tim Russ, actor James Hong, NBC weatherman Fritz Coleman and so many more! Thanks to everyone at the festival for all of the encouragement.

Here he is with his beaming parents on the red carpet all dressed up in their sunday best:

And in case you want to be reminded of the winning episode that now has advanced beavers in the home of the most famous rodent in history, here it is:


No shabby accomplishment for a young man who’s still in highschool. Congratulations Ian! This has been an amazing year for you, and the 17 ones that proceeded it weren’t bad either!