The much-maligned beaver has a hero in Langley Heritage Society member Ted Lightfoot. To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, and the place of Castor canadensis in our history, Ted towed a trailer emblazoned with “Beep For Beaver” Appreciation Tour across the country. Inside was a diorama-like display featuring a trio of sculpted beavers, a Hudson’s Bay Company fur bundle, a gnawed stump and a photo of a beaver pond situated on his property near the headwaters of West Creek. (This pond was originally a man-made detention pond until the beavers started their makeover.) A wooden canoe lashed to the trailer reminded people of its essential role in the fur trade and of aboriginal peoples’ innovation.
The beaver is described as a “keystone species”, creating wetland habitat for other animals like fish, birds and otters. Considered a nuisance by some because of their habit of damming creeks and destroying trees, there are new ways to mitigate dam construction by using special culverts. Even the artificial sound of running water can influence their behavior. Ted Lightfoot’s message is all about looking for ways to preserve these wetlands, streams and riparian setbacks. The beaver could be part of the answer.
One of the highlights of his cross-Canada trip was parking the beaver trailer at Signal Hill in St John’s, Newfoundland and hoisting the Fort Langley flag. He also appreciated getting toots of the horn and waves from other travellers. “The record was three toots in a row.” He adds, “Survival of the beaver was threatened, but you will be happy to know that they are back to full strength and that today they have fewer predators…I have come to admire the beaver for the keystone role they play in my backyard and across Canada.”