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!
