It’s a mighty fine day when an article from Texas agriculture gives an entire paragraph about beaver damage to discussing the actual good that they do. Whoa! 40 words of actual praise in a 600 word article? It’s too much, Texas. Beavers are blushing, the way you do go on.
Matt Garrett: Managing beaver damage, part 1
In Texas, beavers are very abundant and it is not uncommon to find beavers in urban and suburban areas.
Most of the damage caused by beavers is the result of bank burrowing, dam building, tree cutting or flooding. Levees or pond dams weakened by beaver burrows may collapse during periods of high water. If creeks, drainage ditches, culverts and spillways become blocked by beaver dams, adjacent pasture land, timberland and roadways can be damaged by flooding and erosion.
Oh yeah. That’s what we’ve come to expect from a Texas a Harrison County extension agent for Agriculture. Beavers Bad. But this article starts with a section saying that next week you’ll be teaching folks how to prevent beaver damage. What will that be I wonder?
Don’t plant trees?
Here’s the power paragraph that I’m going to be happy with given the source. It isn’t often we have anyone in the Lone Star State singing praises about beavers.
Beaver dams stabilize creek flow, slow run-off and create ponds which benefit fish, fur-bearing animals and other wildlife. However, when a beaver’s modification of the environment comes in conflict with man’s objectives, the results may be more damaging than beneficial.
Hmm I guess it’s not a full forty words. More like eighteen. But still. The author tried his best and used a thesaurus and everything. Baby steps for babies, Am I right?
Just don’t let me catch you complaining the next time there’s a drought or flood, okay?