Dear editor,
Nose Creek starts by Crossfield and flows to the Bow River with a watershed of 989 KM2. It flows through Airdrie and it was a small prairie creek. The City of Airdrie put in several dams creating some beautiful ponds that any beaver family would be proud of. As the story goes “if you build it, they will come” and come they did.
We live in Waterstone on the creek and love watching all the people and wildlife who enjoy the path and waterway. The pond was built and the beaver came and were welcomed, building a lodge and raised countless families over the years.
But this wonder of nature comes at a cost. As well all know, beavers eat bark. So we lose a tree or two each year – especially in the fall, when they put up a winter supply of food to get through until the spring.
Now, this is not a natural pond or a habitat for beavers, as there is no forest for them. Yet the pond is there and they do live there, much to the enjoyment of many who stop to watch them on a summer’s evening.
Two years ago, the City of Airdrie's parks officials decided to kill them. But the shock of local residents got them to stop this and they decided to give a shot at being good stewards. Wire fencing went up around the trees to limit the food source. The beavers did just fine, raising more families and entertaining the park goers.
Yes, they did eat a tree or two each year and the City planted trees but not the kind that beaver need. Now one could say that was poorly thought out. And maybe, we could live in harmony with the beaver and plant something they needed and are beautiful to watch grow like a Brooks No. 6 Poplar. This poplar grows very fast, has no white fluff like a cottonwood, and grows huge in 30 years. The park has a lot of space for this food source. But you would have to be good stewards, keep them from falling where you don’t want them to, and take the wire off a couple old trees each year.
But no, being a good steward and living in harmony with wildlife is too hard. “Let’s just kill them” and hope they don’t come back. And if they do, we’ll just keep killing them.
Does that sound like a good steward and a society you want to raise your family around? The beavers keep trying in hopes that we will find better stewards for our community.
Everyone should know that the very best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The next best time to plant is today.
Blake Schulz
Waterstone
