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Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world. The show is known for innovative sound design, smashing information into music. It is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser.

In an episode first aired back in 2025 on our sister show, Terrestrials, we take you on a musical journey all about beavers. Few mammals have a bigger positive impact on the planet than the beaver. With its bright orange buck teeth, the creature is an expert engineer that brings life wherever it waddles and even fights fires. Our story begins in the Bronx river, once known as the  “open sewer” of New York City. After some humans decide to clean it up, we meet one of the river’s residents - José the beaver. We learn about the US government parachuting beavers out of planes into the mountains. And finally head to California where we discover how one beaver family saved acres of land from burning. 
Special thanks to author Ben Goldfarb, Christian Murphy from the Bronx River Alliance and Dr. Emily Fairfax. 
Terrestrials was created by Lulu Miller with WNYC Studios. This episode was produced by Ana González and sound-designed by Mira Burt-Wintonick. Our team includes Alan Goffinski, Joe Plourde and Tanya Chawla. Fact checking was by Diane Kelly. 
Our advisors for this show were Ana Luz Porzecanski, Nicole Depalma, Liza Demby and Tovah Barocas.
EPISODE CITATIONS: 
 Books - 
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.bengoldfarb.com/eager" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter</a> (<a href="https://zpr.io/4QLuhrSMfurk" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://zpr.io/4QLuhrSMfurk</a>), by Ben Goldfarb</li>
 <li><a href="https://www.leilaphilip.com/beaverland" rel="noopener noreferrer">Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America</a> (<a href="https://zpr.io/3BbaViJK8Hk3" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://zpr.io/3BbaViJK8Hk3</a>), by Leila Philip’s</li>
</ul>
Videos - 
<ul>
 <li>Watch the US government <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrOE-m7sX9E" rel="noopener noreferrer">drop beavers out of planes</a> (<a href="https://zpr.io/y2JJPwwyr3Bp" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://zpr.io/y2JJPwwyr3Bp</a>). </li>
 <li>Watch<a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/leave-it-to-beavers-production-credits/8860/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Leave It to Beavers</a> (<a href="https://zpr.io/JVGZYmNCTy6h" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://zpr.io/JVGZYmNCTy6h</a>), a documentary about beavers restoring rivers and wetlands.</li>
</ul>
Articles - 
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/08/beavers-climate-resilient-watersheds-biodiversity-research?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">How reintroducing beavers can enhance ecological health</a> (<a href="https://zpr.io/KNxz3MtKL9sV" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://zpr.io/KNxz3MtKL9sV</a>), by Madison Pobis, Stanford Report.</li>
 <li><a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/beaver-dams-help-wildfire-ravaged-ecosystems-recover-long-after-flames-subside/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Beaver Dams Help Wildfire-Ravaged Ecosystems Recover Long after Flames Subside</a> (<a href="https://zpr.io/kAnjEUPvPUeJ" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://zpr.io/kAnjEUPvPUeJ</a>), by Isobel Sandcomb, Scientific American </li>
</ul>
HEY GROWN-UPS!
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