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MARTINEZ RESIDENTS DECLARE ITS BEAVERS ARE WORTH A DAM

The plight of the Martinez Beavers, made famous through YouTube videos and national news outlets, still hangs in the balance. In response to overwhelming political and special interest pressures to relocate and out of a sincere desire to create workable solutions that allow for co-existence, Worth A Dam, an association under the umbrella of Land for Urban Wildlife has been formed.

Martinez, California - March 20, 2008 - Worth A Dam ( – Worth A Dam, hosted by the 501(c) Land for Urban Wildlife and headed up by Heidi Perryman, will tackle the ongoing challenges of beaver co-existence. The non-profit will act as the fulcrum between City Officials/Staff and community volunteers. The first order of business will be the redesign of the existing Martinez Beavers website to allow for individual contributions to projects such as willow tree plantings.

“Ultimately, though, our charter hinges on the outcome of the City Council vote to either keep or evict the beavers,” says Perryman. April 2, 2008 is the date being floated for that final vote.

As if to emphasize Ms. Perryman’s concern; in an email response regarding publicity for the upcoming meeting Martinez City Council Member, Lara DeLaney wrote “…we will need all the public support we can get to pressure those members of the Council who are leaning (strongly) toward removal/relocation…” Those members referred to are Mayor Rob Schroder, Council Member Janet Kennedy and Council Member Mike Menesini.

While it appears that the vote will fall on the side of removal/relocation Ms. Perryman is still optimistic about the beaver’s fate. As well she should be with support coming in from all corners:

“The Sierra Club strongly opposes any attempts to relocate or euthanize the beavers that have colonized the downtown area of Alhambra Creek, as well as any attempts to irreparably harm their lodge, dam, and surrounding habitat.”

“Clearly a good many of you have already embraced the idea of stewardship concerning these animals. That can easily broaden into a larger ecological awareness that creates personal and civic pride in living in harmony with nature.” Urban Wildlife Programs,

The Humane Society of the United States

“We obviously have our work cut out for us,” says Perryman. Noting a recent mention by the San Francisco Examiner which characterized November’s meeting as a ‘grand protest’ Ms. Perryman acknowledges the upcoming City Council meeting needs an even greater number of attendees. “Cheryl Reynolds just shot a picture of what appears to be a very pregnant female beaver. Even if we were going to relocate them, the experts agree that fall would be a much safer time.”

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For additional information regarding Worth A Dam, Martinez Beavers or the upcoming City Council vote contact Linda Meza or visit

About Worth A Dam

Worth A Dam’s mission statement: Maintaining the Martinez Beavers through responsible stewardship, creative problem-solving, community education and involvement.

Contact:

Linda Meza, Vice President of Public Relations

Worth A Dam

925-518-4096