Heidi Perryman, president and founder of Worth a Dam writes:

"The city of Martinez CA was the final home of John Muir but became an industrial town in the 1900's and can often be uncertain of its center. In 2006 a pair of beavers moved into downtown Alhambra Creek, drawing controversy, media and a community of supporters. Beavers are a "Keystone species" and their dam makes habitat for the other creatures that follow, (like this night heron and the unlucky fish that tries to get away!) The advocacy group "Worth A Dam" was formed in 2008 to maintain the beavers through responsible stewardship and educate the public about their value in the ecosystem. Since the beavers arrival, Worth A Dam has filmed green heron, scaup, western and clarks grebe, hooded mergansers, otter, western pond turtle, steelhead, and even mink at the dam site. Each sighting is documented to add weight to the argument that responsibly maintaining the beavers in Alhambra Creek is a good investment for a city that once decided to exterminate them."

Heidi Perryman: