October 2024: Special Edition Newsletter

Greetings friends of Christ. Wonderful things are happening at Highlands.

Welcome Our New Residents

 WE HAVE BEAVERS!!!

At 6:00pm on Sunday, September 1, twenty-five exuberant people gathered in a clearing at Highlands. They came to witness the release of two beavers in Rock Creek.  

The Re-Beavering Project began in March of this year when Preston Brown of the Boulder Watershed Collective contacted us and asked if we’d consider working with him to bring beavers to Highlands. His study of the stream showed that there was beaver activity at Rock Creek some time ago, but the beavers were long gone. Preston said “This is an exceptional site for beavers, with their favorite food (aspen and willow) growing right along the creek. They’re good for the environment, and this particular environment will be good for them.”  

The Administrative Commission said “YES YES YES!”, and the work was underway. Preston and his team came to Rock Creek during the summer to create “starter dens” on the creek. These were composed of loose branches of aspen and pine that the team positioned on the creek bank to make the area as hospitable to new beavers as possible.

The beavers were trapped in Denver and brought to Highlands on August 27th, and they lived in kennels behind Horse Lodge until their release day. We’re delighted to have an adult male, weighing around 40 pounds, and a young female, called a KIT, that weighs about 5 pounds.  

All of the witnesses and participants gathered in a circle for introductions and a blessing, and then listened as Aaron Hall, biologist and beaver expert from Toronto, gave us instructions for the release. “Remember that the beavers are wild animals, not pets. Don’t talk to them. Don’t attempt to touch them. No loud noises like clapping or cheers when they enter the water. If you must talk, please whisper.”

With that, four people carried the beavers in small dog crates to the creek. We moved behind them in silence like pilgrims along a sacred path. When the crates were lowered to the ground, we were invited forward in groups of three to take a closer look at our charges. It was surprising for all of us to see how big a full-grown beaver can be and to see that their back feet are webbed.  

Not a word was spoken as the air filled with anticipation. Preston gave the signal for the two AC members to open the cages, and the beavers slipped into the stream. They swam back and forth in view of everyone, then the male moved into the shadows, while the kit went straight to a pile of aspen and began enjoying her first meal at Rock Creek.  

As evening advanced, we hiked back to the clearing where we were free to share congratulations and hugs all around. Joy filled every heart and hope for the beavers of Highlands rooted within us. It was glorious!

Preston and his team will monitor the beavers over the coming days and months, and their reports will be shared in future editions of the Newsletter.  

Here are a few beaver facts to share:

• Beavers are a “keystone species” which means that an entire ecosystem depends upon their presence and survival. Without the keystone species, the ecosystem collapses.  
• Beaver dams slow the movement of water and sediment downstream. This helps prevent flooding, retain ash and debris following a fire, store groundwater, and hydrate the surrounding area.
• Beavers mitigate the effect of fire by creating refuges for wildlife in their ponds during a blaze, helping to prevent the spread of flames through a river corridor by creating wet conditions that are harder to burn, and creating a seed source and livable habitat in areas otherwise devastated by fire.
• Beaver ponds create wet meadows and wetlands that are home to a huge variety of birds, frogs, toads, fish, and mammals. In fact, endangered Boreal Toads require shallow wetlands associated with beaver ponds in order to lay eggs and over-winter. Endangered greenback cutthroat trout also depend on beaver ponds and wet meadows for rearing and foraging. Beaver ponds are great for young fish to feed in and grow fast
• Over time, wetlands created by beavers become peatlands, as dead vegetation accumulates underwater. Peatlands are the best ecosystem for carbon sequestration.

Read more about beavers and wetlands here.
Read more about how beavers live here

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen and for those of you who shared this incredible day.

Fall Volunteer Work Day

On Saturday October 12th, twenty-eight volunteers joined us in our Fall Volunteer Work Day. It was the largest group we have welcomed in quite some time. It filled our hearts with joy to meet new friends and see old ones. The main task of the day was to plant 300 lbs. of native grass and flower seeds in the areas that were most affected by the forest restoration project. In addition to planting, we focused our efforts on digging out invasive plants that had taken root in some areas on the property. It was a beautiful day with warm fall sun. We thought we were going to get a little shower to help our seeds grow in the afternoon, but unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, we did not get rained on. After a filling lunch, some volunteers assisted with gathering some fencing and other wood-scraps on to a trailer to haul away. It was a wonderful day of coming together and caring for God’s amazing creation. Thank you to all of our great volunteers!

Holiday Open House

Be our guest for lunch and spend the day visiting with friends, meeting new people, and learning about what is in store for Highlands in 2025. Please RSVP by Sunday Dec. 1st. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Register

We are Hiring

Highlands is looking for a Program Coordinator. This is a year-round position with benefits, at perhaps the most beautiful workplace in the world. Application deadline is December 1st. Please share with your family and friends and help us find our next team member.

Give a Gift

Your financial generosity ensures that we can continue to offer the life-changing programs and retreats in a safe and welcoming environment. We understand that times are challenging, but every gift makes a difference. To contribute, click here. Thank you for your support!