Gallatin Valley Earth Day kicks off its annual event series preceding the spring festival with a presentation by environmental journalist and author Ben Goldfarb. “Dam It: Partnering with Beavers to Heal the Planet” is set for Thursday, January 16th, at 7pm. It will be held at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture with a book signing and reception one hour prior.
In his book Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, Goldfarb reveals that our modern conception of a healthy ecosystem is wrong, distorted by the fur trade that once eliminated millions of beavers from North America’s waterways. The consequences of losing beavers were profound: ponds drained, wetlands dried up, and species from salmon to swans lost vital habitat.
Today, a growing coalition of “Beaver Believers” – including scientists, farmers, and passionate citizens – recognizes that ecosystems with beavers are far healthier than those without them. From the Nevada deserts to the Scottish highlands, Believers are hard at work restoring these industrious rodents to their former haunts.
In his talk, Goldfarb will discuss the history and biology of this world-changing species; how beavers can help us fight drought, flooding, wildfire, and climate change; and how we can coexist with this challenging but vital rodent.
A panel discussion with Q&A will follow the presentation. Panelists include Goldfarb, Connor Parrish from Trout Unlimited, Kurt Imhoff of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and panel MC Leah Thayer from the World Wildlife Fund.
Goldfarb’s talk with also be presented virtually for those who cannot attend. Find a registration link and additional event information at www.gallatinvalleyearthday.org. Details about other upcoming talks will be available through the website leading up to the April 19th festival.
Gallatin Valley Earth Day encourages local citizen action to help protect our planet from right here in the Gallatin Valley. The group came together in creation of a Bozeman festival that celebrates this vital work. Learn more by visiting the aforementioned website. •
