Opening our hearts to water is one of the most important acts we can do in climate regeneration, as water is connected to everything we do. In fact, we ARE water, quite literally. When we bring our attention as a community to water, and deeply honor its significance, not just as a resource, but as a living being, we begin to heal our planet. In order to offer community members opportunities to be in relationship with water locally, the SLO Beaver Brigade often hosts groups on visits to the Salinas River in Atascadero. On the afternoon of May 11, we were thrilled to have community member and state legislator Senator John Laird, along with his wonderful staff members, Kara Woodruff and Clint Weirick, accompany us to beaver dam habitat in Atascadero. What a delight for Beaver Brigade staff and volunteers to share the experience of walking to the River, admiring the cottonwoods and willows as we went, and tossing off our shoes to wade in the cooling, healing waters of the Salinas River with our invited guests. The senator and his aides experienced for themselves the deep connection with the natural world that occurs as one enters beaver habitat.
Kara Woodruff shared, “We had a fabulous time with the Beaver Brigade. We walked the Salinas River and learned more about the Beaver Brigade’s educational and field programs to enhance natural habitat, protect beavers and other native flora and fauna, and support flood control, fire protection and community water.”