American Indians called the beaver the "sacred center" of the land because this species creates rich habitats for other mammals, fish, turtles, frogs, birds and ducks. Since beavers prefer to dam streams in shallow valleys, much of the flooded area becomes wetlands. Such wetlands are cradles of life with biodiversity that can rival tropical rain forests. Almost half of endangered and threatened species in North America rely upon wetlands.
Besides being a keystone species, beavers reliably and economically maintain wetlands that can sponge up floodwaters (the several dams built by each colony also slows the flow of floodwaters), prevent erosion, raise the water table and act as the "earth's kidneys" to purify water. The latter occurs because several feet of silt collect upstream of older beaver dams, and toxics, such as pesticides, are broken down in the wetlands that beavers create. Thus, water downstream of dams is cleaner and requires less treatment.
From the comfort of the vardo, still wrapped in the quiet of night sleep, I heard the song of birds. Small voices they did find their way to me inspite of the very manicured and humanly residential nature of the Mill Town. On my feet I pulled the soft worn flannel curtains away from the windows, inspecting them for the moisture that collects after a night of being sealed against the sulfur of pollens and kiln from the mills. Almost as a sleep-walker I wiped the moisture from the windows to keep mold from forming on the milk-painted oak frames. Making up the bed waits for a time later this morning.
With my robe tucked about me and slipped into my boots and down the three short steps from our sleeping loft and onto the sidewalk. There they were, a family of tiny sparrows looked from the roof ledge. We talked a bit and I was happy to feel a smile gently taking over my sleepy face. Inside, Pete had already been at this computer printing out insurance forms for his new business in the making...the legal trappings of becoming a small biz owner. "I saw the sparrows on the roof...heard them chirping, too." Busy with his focus, he said, "I don't feel connected to the outside." Oh, I thought what a price to pay for beavering away.
