International Beaver Day
International Beaver Day is an annual celebration that takes place on April 7th. The date was chosen to honour Dorothy Richards, a researcher who studied beavers for over 50 years. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of beavers and their role in ecosystems and promoting their conservation and protection.
The history of International Beaver Day dates back to 2009 when the non-profit organization Beavers: Wetlands and Wildlife designated April 7th as a day to celebrate beavers and their contributions to the environment. Beavers are known as “ecosystem engineers” because they significantly impact their habitats by building dams and lodges and creating wetlands that provide habitat for other species.
Beavers also play a critical role in maintaining the health of ecosystems by modifying water flow, nutrient cycles, and carbon storage. They help to prevent floods and erosion, improve water quality, and support the growth of plants and trees.
International Beaver Day celebrates these remarkable animals and promotes their conservation and protection. The day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of beavers and their habitats and to advocate for their conservation.
See also: A Grand Vision for Rewilding the West With Beavers and Wolves.
Events and activities held on International Beaver Day may include educational programs, community events, and advocacy campaigns to support beaver conservation and protection efforts.
In conclusion, International Beaver Day is an annual event that honours these incredible animals and raises awareness of their importance to ecosystems. The day provides an opportunity to promote their conservation and protection and celebrate their environmental contributions.
How to celebrate:
- Take a hike and try to identify beaver dams.
- Read books and watch documentaries about beavers.
- Visit a local animal conservatory and learn about how to protect the animals.
- Become a member of Beavers Wetlands & Wildlife.
Fun Facts:
- The dams built by beavers are useful in preventing floods and droughts by creating wetlands.
- The largest beaver dam is in Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta and is 850m long.
- The beaver is Canada’s national symbol and represents the sovereignty of Canada.
- Beavers are monogamous animals and will stay together for multiple breeding seasons.
- Beavers are found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere in countries like Canada, Poland, Germany, France, central Russia and southern Scandinavia.
- They are the second largest semi-aquatic rodents after capybaras.
- Beavers are herbivores who eat only tree bark, twigs, foliage and aquatic plants.
- Beavers can stay underwater for 6-8 minutes.
#InternationalBeaverDay
