In warmer climates lives a small creature that has amazed and bewildered human observers for thousands of years—even inspiring engineers at NASA. The Gecko’s most amazing characteristic is its ability to walk effortlessly on vertical or even overhead surfaces, despite the fact that its feet are not sticky nor do they possess any form of suction cups. The Gecko’s adhesion is far superior to anything man has been able to design. Thus British Aerospace and NASA, are now working to perfect synthetic gecko grippers.

The beaver is second only to man in its ability to permanently alter the environment to meet its needs. It modifies landscapes and brings water back to previously dry areas. Much research is now being done in putting the beaver to work, perhaps impacting the planet’s water supply. Beavers are designed for their role: teeth that never stop growing and cannot be worn out, bodies perfectly designed for swimming, eyes with built-in swimming goggles and the ability to stay submerged for 15 minutes. They are built to lift many times their own weight, pulling heavy logs to the water.

North of the city of Victoria, on Vancouver Island, a famous landmark holds a story which shows that even in this troubled world, mankind is capable of amazing and beautiful things. What can we learn from this stunning reclamation project?

Family is important. Oftentimes people focus on the role of fathers in the lives of their sons. What benefits will an active, attentive father provide in the life of his daughter? This is not to demean the influence of mothers nor overlook the needs of sons. But consider the deep and weighty effect that fathers have on the lives of their daughters; for good or bad. Girls with attentive fathers do better academically. They are likely to achieve higher grades in school than girls with absent fathers.