A beaver is a change agent. They build a dam, create a pond, then over the course of years, the pond fills in, becomes a wetland, wet meadow and the cycle starts again. Humans like things static, which is one reason beavers and humans have not gotten along. We have fundamentally different visions of how the landscape is supposed to work. The consequences have been the decimation of the beaver population resulting in a profound loss of habitat. In his book, 'Eager,' environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb explores the deleterious effects removing these essential animals has had and how bringing them back can help us solve all sorts of problems. His book not only opens the reader to seeing beavers as industrious, brilliant engineers worthy of endless observation, but is a gateway into a love, devotion and connection with nature.
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