The Mighty Beaver

Congratulations to the Blackfeet Nation and their Ksik Stakii Project. As this article notes, Ksik Stakii is an animal of deep cultural significance to the Piikani peoples. http://www.cutbankpioneerpress.com//article_d1e1a45e-b7fe-

In case you missed it, here's a some lighthearted beaver news to see you into the weekend. Have a good one -- and if you're working on a construction project, watch out for your wood! https://www.cbc.ca//porcupine-plain-beavers-stolen-posts-1

Glynnis Hood's comment that "beavers are just being beavers" really gets to the heart of the issue. We humans have far more ability to adjust our behaviour and actions than most other animals, so it's incumbent upon us to figure out how to coexist with our fellow species. When we try to live as if we are not part of the natural world, it never goes well. https://www.theguardian.com//canada-beaver-population-prob

Those of you have been worrying about the folks in Tumbler Ridge, BC, who lost their internet access last week will be relieved to know that they have been reconnected and the beavers who were responsible for the outage have not been banished. Some of the inconvenienced customers might have even enjoyed the break ... "People who had spent nearly 35 hours without Internet, cell phones or optic TV, came back in from nature, blinking at the sudden darkness of their homes, before taking another hit of high speed." https://tumblerridgelines.com//tumbler-ridge-internet-res/

The beavers and wildfires connection really seems to be resonating these days. https://www.sierraclub.org//wildfires-tek-beavers-are-fire

Most beaver fans are well aware of the great work being done to find homes for underappreciated beavers in Washington State and how relocated beavers are building back wetland ecosystems. But there's still lots of scope for spreading the word about beaver benefits and non-lethal approaches to resolving conflicts. Great to see that Smithsonian Magazine felt this was a story worth re-telling to reach those who haven't already heard it. https://www.smithsonianmag.com//taking-nuisance-beavers-o/

My latest Radical Rodents newsletter includes another sneak peek inside the pages of "Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers" (coming soon from Orca Book Publishers). I love the grin on Glynnis Hood's face in the photo of her sitting on top of a snow-covered beaver lodge as she checks for beaver-breath frost formations. https://mailchi.mp/4f089/radical-rodents-newsletter-4694624

Need a feel-good story to get your week going? Read this one about how the ripple effect of learning about the return of beavers to Britain has inspired two young men to launch their own rewilding project. Working on the beaver project, I had that lightbulb moment, [Harvey Tweats] says. These beavers are creating incredible wetlands for amphibians and reptiles and yet they aren’t there because they went extinct so long ago. https://www.theguardian.com//who-doesnt-love-a-turtle-the-

Next Monday, Ben Goldfarb and I are getting together virtually for an author chat hosted by Honest Dog Books, a wonderful little indie bookstore in Bayfield, Wisconsin. You're welcome to join us from wherever you are.

Cool! A video game about beavers. Not exactly real beavers, but these ones do build dams and canals, as well as "lumberpunk in which the evolved beavers erect buildings and craft machinery using wood and metal scavenged from human ruins! The demo is available for downloading and playing until Feb. 16. https://steamcommunity.com//ann/detail/3066356583424434071

Britain's returned beavers have once again demonstrated why it's worth welcoming them back. https://www.dunmowbroadcast.co.uk//beavers-limit-worst-fin

Clearly, she's giving Beave the best present ever, a loving home. "'What’s it like to rehab a beaver?' Well, apparently you can’t wrap Christmas presents when he needs attention. ... Beaver kits have a strong need for socialization and bonding time. A STRONG need." https://people.com//beave-internet-beloved-beaver-goes-vi/

Happy Solstice to all. Tis the season for bright lights and warm hearts.

This new book looks like it offers interesting insights into the traditional relationship between the Blackfeet and beavers. https://www.yorktonthisweek.com//book-looks-at-cultural-co

Sylvie Biber has just posted a new episode of the beaver family she calls the Bobs. I bet they're dreaming of that lush spring world as they hunker down in their winter lodge.

It's not too late to decorate.

The Beaver Institute, has been doing great work all year, starting with co-hosting the fantastic BeaverCON2020 conference and carrying on with their Beaver Corps training program, which now has 23 American and Canadian trainees enrolled. Their year-end update has more details of their activities. If you have some spare dollars, please consider supporting this dynamic non-profit, so they can keep up the momentum through 2021. https://www.beaverinstitute.org/2020-update/

I'm not sure how long the Iowa Beaver Project has been active, but I just came across it today. It looks like the Iowa castorophiles are doing good work. https://www.theiowabeaverproject.com/