We put in a water leveling device today, specifically, a beaver dam pond leveler device. And by we, I mean beaver people, watershed people, helpful people, hardworking, and earth-stewarding people.
The goal is to build a low flow through a beaver dam that doesn’t bother the beavers and helps the people (less flooding). If we remove beavers, it leaves us with no water, no wetlands = no good. We need to be creative and coexist.
At the day of event, I did nearly nothing. But before it happened, I was in the small pod of people committed to doing it. I was told this was critical to the doing of it. Sometimes you have to commit to the doing of something, to the being there, and then more follow.
I’m not saying I was central to it happening, but I was one of those choosing to move forward. I’m not saying it couldn’t have happened without me, but it did show me the power of being present, in groups. It matters to support the ones doing.
The water leveling solution is a few segments of pipe where one end catches the water, it flows through, and exits the other side of a beaver dam. The entry has a cage to keep beavers away and out of the sensory bubble of hearing or feeling the water being pulled through. Beavers can’t help but fix leaks. It is central to their nature. With this device, they get to have their pond and we get to keep the pond from getting too high and possibly flooding.
There is no water in this spot at the moment due to a hot summer and no rain, but the rain will come back soon and it will fill up again.
What does all this do, again, just to highlight?
Enhances coexistence between humans and beavers
Makes a controlled flow to move some water through to prevent or reduce flooding.
Keeps beavers around to build and sustain wetlands.
Summer wetlands are low but will fill up again when the rain returns.
What do wetlands do?
Support bugs, birds, fish, animals… the ecosystem.
Filter, store, cool, and clean water.
Slow or stop wildfires.
“Sometimes it seems like we are carrying thimbles of water to an ocean” I overheard at one point, regarding how to help the planet. And I agreed and said how great is it to be with the thimble carriers.
I cheer the thimble carriers.
of course i go straight to the water piece first great descriptions wow and love the pictures
Wonderful piece, Maryann. Thank you for your good works and words