Humans are encroaching all over the world, moving into wild spaces that used to be left to the creatures who we call ‘animals’. It is estimated that by the next census more than 80% of the population will live in urban areas, not just in the US. It’s true from Canada to Wisconsin and Peyong. This means we are forced to cross paths with wildlife more and more often.  And we need more and more articles like this to show the way.

Living Green: Learning to live with azzznd help our local wildlife

Bear season isn’t far away in the Tri-Cities and, with it, a focus on managing attractants such as garbage. But there’s more to living with bears and other wildlife than keeping our food waste inside until it’s time for pickup.

Urbanization affects how wildlife moves through watersheds — and, FYI, we all live in a watershed. Development fragments and destroys wildlife habitat. Wildlife must then adjust to an ever-changing world, seeking new habitat to forage for food, hunt for prey and raise their young.

We can minimize stressful encounters and potential conflict with wildlife by being aware of the diversity of wildlife around us, by using common sense and by employing preventative techniques. Bear and coyote sightings, for example, often increase as a result of humans providing a food source.

What a wonderful way to start an article! Remember it wasn’t very long ago that we were writing about the fact that conservationists are noting that the green areas inside cities are often the greatest boost to biodiversity.

Recently, I sat down with local beaver advocates Jim and Judy Atkinson. I wanted to hear about their more than 25 years of experience living in Jasper National Park and how they had come to have such a deep appreciation and passion for so many of our native wildlife.

First deer, then elk, came into town annually to give birth, where the urban environment afforded them temporary protection from predators. As they were understandably protective of their calves, Parks Canada eventually had to deter their return by fencing off large grassy areas on which the elk liked to graze (school grounds and fields), and to dissuade them from coming into town by waving hockey sticks with plastic streamers attached

Returning to the industrious beaver, I am further enlightened by the Atkinsons. Beavers have existed for the past 30 to 60 million years. Spanning some 300 years, beaver trapping occurred ahead of European settlers and decimated the mammals’ population to 1% of its original numbers.

Today’s society, therefore, has not co-evolved with beavers. The Haida First Nation, on the other hand, has long recognized the interconnection between beavers and salmon. Beaver dams create ponds that provide resting areas for migrating salmon and make ideal nurseries for juvenile fish by creating complex edge habitat, increasing insect food supply and contributing beneficial woody debris into the ecosystem.

Excellent! Jim and Judy are the gifts to beavers that keep on giving! I’m so grateful for their work and that our paths crossed. I wish this article was syndicated to appear in a million newspapers. Here in Martinez understand very well that the benefits of urban beavers aren’t just for salmon, but for the lives of all the people who protect them.

Which brings me to the donation we received yesterday from enormously talented artist Lori Preusch of Dandelion based in Colorado.

Her stunning illustrations capture the gloriously incongruous magic of childhood and wildlife in all it’s impossible splendor. She generously sent a  large studio print and several cards sets which we are thrilled to add to the auction. I can’t tell you how mesmerizing they are to look at, so I thought I would share some of the images.

Here was her generous response when I asked for a donation:

I would be happy to donate to your Worth a Dam festival. You have no idea how much beavers have played a role in my own life. In fact we have one of those flow devices on our property which we call the “beaver deceiver,” because of a similar situation we had regarding neighbors who didn’t enjoy the beavers as much as we do. I live with beavers every day and adore them. Let me know what your deadline is and if you have an image or two in mind that you think would be particularly appreciated by your group. I am sorry to say that I do not yet have a beaver image but will I am sure at some point. I’ll wait to hear from you and then send a few things your way. Lori

 

This was the image I saw online that made me track her down originally. I’m honestly not kidding when I say go check out her  website. You will spend an hour just drinking in her images. When I see them I remember that magical portal I could step through freely as a child, either with a wondrous new book or with a fanciful story and a willing imagination. She is an amazingly talented with an eye for wonder.

Thank you so much, Lory.