Beaver Named Official River Animal

The Lower Naugatuck Valley now has an official mascot, thanks to a recent vote organized by Healthy Valley.

The beaver is the winner of the Valley-wide “Name the River Animal” vote, Healthy Valley announced Monday at the Derby Neck Library. Around 600 Valley residents cast ballots at their local libraries and online at electronicvalley.org in May and June as part of the vote to name an animal to represent the local area. 

“We are really please with the participation we received from the community,” said Healthy Valley co-chair, Patricia Tarasovic. 

This past spring, fifth graders at Ansonia’s Mead School had researched and chosen three animals to be voted on through the competition. Library patrons got to see exhibits the fifth graders designed about the creatures before voting for a favorite.

A group committed to increasing community pride locally, Healthy Valley held the animal vote to help win National Heritage recognition for the Lower Naugatuck Valley. An online poll on the City of Derby website also yielded an overwhelming vote in favor of the beaver:

Bald Eagle (71)	23%
Raccoon (33)	11%
Beaver (210)	67%

“This vote shows residents’ enthusiastic support for a Valley National Heritage Area with the beaver as its logo,” said Judy Augusta, Healthy Valley co-chair.

Healthy Valley plans now to promote the newly chosen River Animal locally. Augusta says her group is considering to place large replica beavers at public places and to feature the animal on signs around the Valley. Healthy Valley also may sell small replica beavers to promote the new Valley mascot.

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