Yesterday I was on my way to work when I got an email from Gail in New Jersey saying that the city was concerned by flooding problems caused by beavers in 150 acre Franklin swamp and had called in the state which were going to recommend killing them. Would I please write the mayor and council that there were other options for regulating beaver behavior?
Franklin Swamp: Motorfox
Beavers in Jersey? Well looking at this photo you can certainly see why. I looked up the addresses for the mayor and council and wrote them out Martinez’ own difficulties and the way that Skip’s installation of a flow device had solved them. Then I pointed out that, with Mike Callahan a 2 hour drive north, they weren’t nearly as far away from solutions of their own. I tracked down New Jersey Audubon and wrote them as well about the links between beavers and birds and asked them for help. I later heard from Laura Simon that HSUS had already been tipped off about it, and would be involved. I suggested to Gail that she try to involve the media or some children’s groups and she wrote back that her good friend was a girl scout leader and they would schedule a fieldtrip and art project right away.
I can’t really imagine beavers (or swamps) in New Jersey, but I’m happy they’re there.I’ve included a links to the addresses if you have time to drop a line yourself. In the mean time, we had good news yesterday that Laura Simon and Guy Peterson connected and she is coming out next week to do a site inspection. Fingers Crossed.
