Beavers & Music...

For Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care's Wildlife Wednesdays, we were educated about Beavers by Sherry Guzzi, co-Founder of Sierra Wildlife Coalition, retired architect, and local for 40+ years.

Sherry knows her stuff and delighted in sharing it with her audience (on what became a very rainy night). During her presentation we learned a great deal about the native North American Beaver Castor Canadensis. These poor cuties were hunted to near extinction for their thick fur (for hats). They are the largest North American rodent and are more related to squirrels than mice. Surprisingly, they are bigger than one might think - Adults can be 40-50+ lbs.

Typically nocturnal and shy, you won't often see them, but in the winter of 2013/14, their dams were destroyed on Taylor Creek (because they were causing flooding) and we had the opportunity to ogle them in the daytime.

Beavers build dams and ponds for safety only if water is not deep enough. Water needs to be deep enough to escape predators, to provide underwater entrances to their lodges, and to provide access to food. If streams are more than 3' deep they may not need to build a dam. Often they will build one large pond with their lodge, and several smaller ponds up and/or downstream for access to food. Interestingly, they use any available materials, including rocks, logs, sticks and other vegetation, then always pack mud against the structure for reinforcement. I would love to see that construction happening.

Besides providing critical wetland habitat, beaver dams slow the water's flow, which reduces erosion and decreases flood damage downstream. Water sinks into the ground, replenishes the water table, and increases riparian vegetation. And, very important here at Lake Tahoe, beaver dams also cleanse the water by filtering out silt, nutrients and other pollutants (that then biodegrade behind the dam) which prevents them from entering the Lake. Beavers, their dams, and ponds can help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Diminishing snow packs and warmer temperatures cause streams to dry up earlier. Water held in beaver dams upstream provides water later and throughout the summer season. Best of all, beavers do all this work for free, and they don't need permits! Nobody is better at building and then maintaining wetlands than beavers. I will never look at a beaver (or its dam) the same.

Thursday found us back at Lakeview Commons for our last Tahoe concert of the summer.

Steve, Cyndi, Steve, and I have been partners in this magical, musical endeavor since Live at Lakeview began. What a ride!

"Boot Juice hails from the Hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. The band features electric and acoustic guitars, three vocalists, bass, drums, saxophone and trumpet. Inspired by the likes of The Band and Railroad Earth with an intensely energetic show reminiscent of Talking Heads, Boot Juice has been gaining buzz with their vibrant performances and party-sparking reputation. Shifting effortlessly between driving bluegrass and Americana into cosmic rock’n’roll and swing. They deliver three part vocal harmonies and dynamic instrumental arrangements with a sultry dose of blues and soul. The collective effect leaves crowds little choice but to shake it down on the dance floor."

"In 2019, Boot Juice came into it’s full current lineup with the addition of its horn section. Caleb Sanders (alto and tenor saxophone) and Micah Marmorstein (trumpet) bring an infectious energy and tight horn harmonies to the stage, making it tough not to dance. It’s not uncommon to see these guys hanging off the rafters or running into the crowd by the end of the night."