Do we have a catagory of “unexpected beaver news”? If we don’t we should. These two items qualify.
A Langley man travels coast-to-coast to honour Canada’s national symbol
The “Beaver appreciation tour” was timed for country’s 150th birthday
If he sounds like a fan of Canada’s national symbol, it could be because the energetic Ted Lightfoot, who spent more than three decades in the construction industry, likes to build things, just like the hard-working animal he admires.
While some view beavers as a nuisance because they can cause flooding by building dams, Lightfoot is one of those who see them as a “keystone species” that creates wetland habitat that other animals benefit from.
For Canada’s 150th birthday, at his own expense, the Langley resident towed a custom-built trailer with a “Beep For Beaver” message on the back across the country, a 25-day, 6,300-kilometre “Sesquicentennial Beaver Appreciation Tour.”
Ohh man,why didn’t I think of that? I’ve been on a beaver appreciation tour this entire decade! Ted, do you need a buddy to ride shotgun? Ted seems like a nice guy to ride along with. Check out the video by clicking on the headline above.
I was also struck by an article that mentioned that a recipient of the ‘bronze beaver award‘ was stopping by Houston on his tour. Turns out it’s an award given by MIT. Of course I had to look this information up. Of course it’s not given for the first thing you’d think of. Or the second for that matter.
Bronze Beaver Award
The Bronze Beaver Award is the highest honor the Association can bestow upon any alumni volunteer. It is given to recognize distinguished service to the Alumni Association and the Institute by alumni who have been active in most or all phases of alumni activity and who have been outstanding in at least one phase. Alf K. Berle ’27 and Carole (Cac) A. Clarke ’21 were the first recipients of this award, which was established in 1955. 319 individuals have been awarded the Bronze Beaver.
I know you are curious to see what one looks like. So was I. Hmmm maybe Worth A Dam needs to give an award too?
