Some people have a negative view of beavers: they tear down trees and build dams that can flood the adjacent landscape. In Idaho in the 1940s, officials rounded up beavers from populated areas and relocated them – sometimes by parachute – to remote areas such as Baugh Creek. Now, nearly 70 years later, NASA satellite images show that these areas where beavers settled are lusher, greener, and more resistant to fire and drought.
Parachuting beavers
Some of the areas that Idaho wanted to relocate the beavers to were so remote that there were no roads to get them there. So, they came up with a novel solution. Idaho Fish and Game used surplus parachutes from World War II to drop the beavers into their new homes.
At first, the fish and game people figured they could drop the beavers in woven willow boxes. Then the beavers could chew themselves to freedom upon landing. But as soon as they put the beavers in the boxes, they began to chew their way out. And they didn’t want a plane full of loose beavers. Instead, Idaho Fish and Game designed a box that would open upon impact. They tested the box’s design on one eager beaver they aptly named Geronimo. After several test drops onto a field, they were assured that the design would work.
Thus, beavers rained down over Idaho. The beaver relocation project lasted until 1948. Those beavers’ descendants now live in what is part of the largest protected roadless forest in the lower 48 states.
Idaho Fish and Game relocated beavers in the 1940s using parachutes to drop them into remote areas. Image via Idaho Fish and Game/ NPR.
Satellite evidence of lusher lands
In the Baugh Creek area of Idaho southeast of Sun Valley, the positive impact that beavers have had on the ecosystem is visible from space. The beavers there have been busy as … well, beavers … creating dams and flooding the surrounding landscape. When you compare an area of the creek where beavers made their homes compared to a nearby creek without beavers, the difference is clear. The beaver areas are more verdant, with wider swaths of plant life.
This aerial view of the Baugh Creek area shows how the area with beaver dams is more lush and green than a neighboring area without beaver dams. The Landsat 9 satellite acquired this image on June 24, 2022. Image via NASA.
Trial by fire
Then, in 2018, the Sharps Fire burned more than 60,000 acres in the Baugh Creek area. But imagery from after the fire showed that the lush, moist areas around beaver dams were resilient against the flames.
Now NASA is working with researchers who are attempting to restore beavers in ecosystems throughout the West. You can learn more about their work in this video.
Maybe someday soon beavers will be parachuting into an area near you to help restore the ecosystem.
The Baugh Creek area that was flooded by beaver dams survived the Sharps Fire of 2018 better than surrounding areas. Image via NASA Earth Observatory/ Fairfax/ Whittle.
Bottom line: NASA satellite imagery showed that a creek in Idaho where beavers built dams was lusher, greener, and more fire-resistant than neighboring areas without beaver dams.
"Celtic lore says that blackberries are fairy fruit and may bring bad luck to people who eat them. Blackberries were also considered protective against earthbound spirits and vampires. It is said that if planted near the home, a vampire couldn't enter because he would obsessively count the berries and forget about the people inside". (1)
"The blackberry in England has a lot of folklore, each pointing to a common piece of wisdom. Blackberry was the bane of all evils, from misfortune to illness. It was used to release people and animals from illness, misfortune, and witchery. There are tales that the Devil was thrown out of Heaven and into a blackberry bush, and such avoids and hates them". (2)
A Witch's Whisk is a bundle of blackberry twigs, bound on one end, and lit to be used as a cleansing smoke. The bound end forms a handle. The unbound end sprays out, giving the appearance of a whisk.
"Cecil Williamson, a well-known English witch and the once owner of the Boscastle Witchcraft Museum wrote this about witch’s whisks:
‘Witch’s whisk made of dried out blackberry stems and with the end bound to form a handle. Here in the south west when a witch decides to make magic she first selects a spot or place where she will work, be the chosen place inside or out. The next thing to be done is that of cleansing the chosen spot of all evil forces. This is where the bundle of blackberry twigs comes in. She sets a light to the twigs and with them smouldering, burning and making smoke, she dances and weaves her way in and around and around over and over again. So this is one might call it: 'a witch’s devil scarer'." (3)
"Blackberry was considered to be sacred to some of the old Pagan deities of Europe, and was used in worship. To the present day, blackberry pies are baked on Lughnasadh (August 2) by some of the Wiccans in commemoration of the harvest.
A bramble bush that forms a natural arch is a great aid to magical healing. On a sunny day, crawl through the arch backward and then forward three times, going as nearly east to west as possible. This will cause boils, rheumatism, whooping cough, and even blackheads to disappear.
The blackberry leaves were used in spells of wealth, as are the berries themselves, and the vines are protective if grown.
The blackberry plant is also used to heal scalds by dipping nine blackberry leaves in spring water and then laying them against the wound gently, while saying the following chant three times to each leaf (27 times in all):
'Three ladies came from the east,
One with fire and two with frost.
Out with fire, in with frost.'
This is an old invocation to Brigit, the ancient Celtic Goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft.
Folk Names: Bly, Bramble, Bramble-Kite, Bumble-Kite, Cloudberry, Dewberry, Goutberry, High Blackberry, Thimbleberry
For “pupsicles,” use an edible “stick” such as a slice of carrot. The downside of frozen treats is that they melt, and melting treats can be messy. If you’re feeding indoors, try serving frozen dog treats on a towel, mat, or other surface that protects furniture and flooring.
Our dogs are just as fond of ice cream, popsicles, and other frozen treats as we are. But frozen treats, including those sold for pets, can be high in sugar, difficult to digest, expensive, or contain artificial flavors, colors, and even potentially dangerous ingredients.
Fortunately, it’s easy to save money, add variety, improve the nutritional content of your dog’s treats, and help your hot dog cool down as temperatures climb with these homemade frozen dog treats.
How to Make The Best Frozen Dog Treats in Town
Ingredients: Avoid ingredients that are harmful to dogs, such as the sweetener xylitol, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, onions, and chocolate. Prevent unwanted weight gain by limiting fruits, fruit juices, and other sources of sugar, and feed all “extra” treats in moderation.
Many dogs are lactose-intolerant, which can make regular ice cream and frozen milk products indigestible. Substituting fermented dairy products like yogurt or kefir, or using unsweetened coconut milk, which is lactose-free, helps dogs avoid digestive problems.
Equipment: Recommended equipment includes a sharp knife and cutting board, blender or food processor, and something to hold and shape treats during freezing, such as simple ice cube trays, sturdy rubber chew toys, popsicle molds, paper cups, silicone molds, wooden strips, and edible sticks.
Storage: Once treats are frozen, place them in air-tight freezer containers or zip-lock bags for freezer storage. This prevents sublimation, during which frozen foods dehydrate, and it prevents the transmission of odors to and from other foods.
Frozen Dog Treat Disclaimer: If your dog loves to chew ice cubes, she’s not alone – but ice cubes are potentially hazardous. According to Tennessee pet dentist Barden Greenfield, DVM, “Dogs have a tendency to chew too hard and the force of breaking ice is substantial. This leads to a slab fracture (broken tooth) of the upper 4th premolar, which many times exposes the pulp, leading to tremendous oral pain and discomfort. Treatment options are root canal therapy or surgical removal.”
The risk of breaking a tooth increases with the size of frozen cubes, so avoid this problem by freezing small cubes, offer shaved ice instead of cubes, or add ingredients that produce softer cubes, such as those described here. Small amounts of honey, which can have health benefits for dogs, help prevent a “too hard” freeze.
Use whatever safe ingredients you have on hand, and experiment with quantities. There is no single “right” way to make a frozen treat that your dog will relish. An easy way to predict whether your dog will enjoy a frozen treat is to offer a taste (such as a teaspoon) before freezing. If your dog loves it, perfect. If not, add a more interesting bonus ingredient.
Simple Frozen Kong Ideas for Easy Frozen Dog Treats
Nothing could be easier than filling a sturdy dishwasher-safe, nontoxic, hollow, hard rubber toy such as a Classic Kong with any of the following ingredients before leaving it in the freezer. Block any extra holes to prevent leakage, leaving one large hole open for filling. Popular dog-safe ingredient options include:
Mashed ripe banana
Pureed soft fruit or vegetables (remove seeds or pits before blending)
Canned dog food
Nut butter (look for sugar-free peanut butter or other nut butters that do not contain xylitol)
Diced apple
Chopped or shredded carrots
Shredded unsweetened coconut
Plain unsweetened yogurt or kefir
Dog treats
Combine your dog’s favorite ingredients and fill the hollow toy. If desired, seal the top with a layer of peanut butter, squeeze cheese, or a dog treat paste such as Kong’s Stuffin’ Paste. Store the toy so its contents remain in place while freezing. For storage, keep frozen Kongs in a sealed freezer container or zip-lock bag.
Another simple summer treat is a few chunks of frozen dog-safe fruits or vegetables delivered by hand or in a small bowl, such as banana, apple, peach, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or green beans.
Dogs love frozen treats. Make them more fun with fancy ice cube trays, or make nutrient-filled popsicles for dogs.
Ice Cube Treats for Dogs
Any liquid that your dog enjoys will work well as a simple frozen ice cube. Follow these instructions to make a frozen dog treat in an ice cube tray:
Choose any of your dog’s favorite dog safe ingredients like bananas, apples, watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, peaches, sugar-free (and xylitol-free) yogurt or kefir, coconut milk, cooked or baked sweet potato, cooked vegetables, peanut butter, and/or canned or cooked fish, meat, or poultry.
Using a blender or food processor, combine the ingredients to create a puree, one that’s thin enough to pour.
After freezing, remove the treats to zip-lock bags for freezer storage.
Adding a surprise to your frozen dog treats!
Adding a surprise in the middle turns ice into a fun game. Some of my dog’s favorite bases include:
Salt-free or low-salt bone broth
Water pureed with a small amount of cooked meat or fish
Broth or water mixed with unsweetened coconut milk
Fill your ice cube tray halfway and freeze. Then remove the tray from the freezer and add in the center of each cube a small treat such as:
Blueberries, cut strawberries, banana slices, or other cut fruit
A piece of cooked meat
A small training treat
A dollop of peanut butter
Fill the ice cube tray to the top with the same or a different base liquid and place it back in the freezer. After the cubes have frozen solid (usually within 4 hours), store them in zip-lock bags.
Make it fancy!
Silicone molds can turn any simple treat into something extra special. (Okay, the dogs won’t notice, but you and your human friends will be impressed!) Place your silicone molds on a cookie sheet and arrange enough freezer space to hold them flat during freezing.
Homemade Ice Cream for Dogs
Soft Serve for Dogs
When making homemade ice cream for your dog, replace the typical dairy ingredients that make up our favorite ice creams with fermented dairy like yogurt or kefir.
Follow these instructions to create a soft, swirly frozen confection:
Cut ripe fruit such as watermelon or other melon (remove seeds as you go) into chunks and freeze them for at least 4 hours.
In a blender or food processor, combine 2 cups frozen fruit with 1/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt, kefir, or coconut milk. Blend well to achieve a soft-serve consistency.
Serve in an ice cream cone, paper cup, or small bowl, place some in a hollow toy, or add it on top of your dog’s dinner.
Pupsicles – Popsicles for Dogs
It’s fun to serve a frozen fruit smoothie or another frozen treat on a stick to your best friend, and there are dozens of do-it-yourself popsicle molds to choose from. Take a look online for inspiration. For convenience, paper cups work just as well. Here’s how to make popsicles for your dog:
In your blender or food processor, combine dog safe ingredients such as frozen banana pieces, unsweetened nut butter, unsweetened yogurt or kefir, bacon bits, coconut milk, and/or meat, fish, or poultry.
Aim for the consistency of a thick milkshake.
Fill the popsicle molds and add an edible “stick” such as a dog biscuit, green bean, slice of carrot or parsnip, bully stick, or sturdy chew toy like a nylon bone.
To remove the pupsicles from their molds, leave them at room temperature for 2 to 3 minutes or run warm water over the outside of the mold.
Lightly grease the inside of a 23cm/9in square baking tin. Line the base and sides of the tin with baking paper.
Put about 2.5cm/1in of water into a medium saucepan. Find a heatproof bowl that will fit the top of the pan snugly. Make sure the base of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
Put the pan on the stove and bring the water to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and put the chocolate, golden syrup and butter into the bowl. Stir occasionally, making sure to agitate the chocolate, as this will encourage the mixture to come together. As soon as the mixture is smooth and liquid and runny, take off the heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
Add the salt and cinnamon and mix through.
Crush the biscuits very roughly by putting them into a freezer bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. Empty the contents of the bag into the chocolate mixture. Give it a stir. Add the marshmallows, apples and raisins and stir until everything is well coated.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and use the back of a spoon to flatten it and press it into the corners.
Put the tin into the fridge for at least 1 hour, or until set.
Take out of the tin and unwrap. Dust with the icing sugar and slice into 18 bars.
Recipe Tips
If the chcocolate is too hot when the marshmallows are added, you will get into a sticky mess, so make sure you allow the chocolate to cool for 10 minutes.
