Full Circle

Seems there's talk afoot that the Department of Fish and Game will be reviewing it's beaver management policy. Two years ago, giving an off the cuff interview to the Contra Costa Times I dreamed of taking on beaver management at the federal level, this is a good start.

TOOTHY SMILES ABOUND AT BEAVER FESTIVAL
Reporter: By Simon Read Contra Costa Times

Sunday 8/3/2008
By Simon Read
Staff Writer
　
Leave it to Martinez to celebrate beavers.
　
Worth A Dam, the local nonprofit dedicated to keeping the critters in Alhambra Creek, hosted a Beaver Festival on Saturday afternoon at the corner of Alhambra Avenue and Marina Vista, near where a famous family of Martinez beavers live. Organizers hope the festival becomes an annual event.
　
"This is fantastic, " Martinez Councilman Mark Ross said. "How perfect is it for the hometown of John Muir to be hosting a Beaver Festival? I'm really happy with our furry residents " When I tell people I'm from Martinez, they smile and ask me, 'How are the beavers?'"
　
Nearby, attendees gathered along the banks of the Alhambra Creek and gazed at one of the dams built by the celebrated semi-aquatic rodents.
Being nocturnal, however, the beavers did not make an appearance during the afternoon.
　
"They bring people together, " said Martinez resident Irene Bergamini.
"I don't see any problem with them being here as long as they don't cause any flooding."
　
Resident Greg Church said the beavers have helped bring people to downtown Martinez.
　
"We come downtown now to have Mexican food and wander over here to see the beavers, " he said. "My parents are visiting in October from Arizona. My mother knows all about them -- she's told me she wants to see the beavers."
　
Worth A Dam spokeswoman Linda Meza said she hopes people walked away from Saturday's event with a better understanding of the cute critters in the creek.
　
"We want people to be aware that the beavers are not secure in their habitat, " she said. "The City Council still might try and get rid of them, or moving vegetation across the creek could disrupt them. We also want to advocate at the federal level against euthanasia being the only means of control."
　
The more than 100 festival attendees wandering around the booths Saturday afternoon seemed to support the beavers. Many wore T-shirts with pictures of the animals on them. Activities included performances by local musicians, educational displays on the Alhambra Creek watershed, guided tours of the two beaver dams in the area, and a make-your-own beaver tail booth.
　
Igor Skaredoff of Friends of Alhambra Creek said it's important for Martinez residents to recognize the creek's importance.
　
"We want the creek and community to benefit one another, " he said. "If we treat the creek well, the creek will respond in kind."