This headline caught my attention and made me chuckle. Just because the article is making it seem like the NEW INVENTION is positively a first. I remembered the wise crack we used to say in grammar school when somebody excitedly told an old joke they thought was new.

“That’s so funny! Last time I heard that joke I laughed so hard I fell off my dinosaur and broke my wooden underwear!”

Conservation group has non-lethal solution to beaver dam

The Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) has come up with a unique response to a beaver nuisance. In late October, ARMS began receiving reports about an increase in beaver activity behind 126th Avenue.

While the dam wasn’t an immediate concern, heavy rains soon caused water to back up onto neighbouring properties. Also, the beavers had begun chewing some of the larger nearby trees, explained Kristen Munk, ARMS spokesperson. “Beavers often get labeled as destructive or as a nuisance, but they are one of the most important species for watershed health,” said Munk. “Their dams store water in the ground, recharge aquifers, slow floodwaters, trap sediment and pollutants, and create vital habitat for fish and wildlife. With increasing drought pressure in our region, their natural engineering is more valuable than ever.”

I try to remember that once upon a time 20 years ago in Martinez this was all new to us and no one believed it was possible. I remember the treasurer of Martinez told me she saw a documentary about Skip Lisle and flow devices on TV and was so exited to think it coufd fix our problem she taped it NS  then invited the mayor and the head of public works to come over and watch!.

Guess whether they came or called her back. Go ahead, Guess.

The traditional response follows a negative cycle, she explained.

1. Digging a hole in the dam to release water – which triggers the beavers to fortify and expand the dam.

2. Removing the dam – which causes the industrious animals to rebuild.

3. Trapping or relocation methods – often fatal, leaving beavers without food or shelter, especially at this time of year when their winter caches are essential for survival. In the local situation, ARMS wanted a different approach. With a collaborative effort between ARMS, the City of Maple Ridge,

The Fur-Bearers, Silver Creek Wildlife, and local residents, they moved forward with a non-lethal approach that addressed neighborhood concerns and supports a healthy watershed. A pond leveler was installed on Jan. 13. This long pipe goes through the beaver dam, allowing water to flow steadily without triggering the beavers’ instinct to rebuild. The top portion of the dam can be reconstructed by the beavers, allowing them to maintain their home, while preventing flooding on nearby properties. The larger trees are being protected with a cage around thier stumps. “This approach protects residents, the creek, and the beavers – a true win-win,” said Munk. “This project is a great example of how collaboration and coexistence lead to better outcomes for our community and our environment.”

Learning about beavers is a huge game of telephone, where each new believer whispers something into the others ear and it sometimes get heard and sometimes gets garbled,

Turns out some messages just take a little longer than others.