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Free the beaver! New vision for beavers in England and Wales shows how

Russell Savory

Today, The Wildlife Trusts publish A vision for the return of beavers to England and Wales making the case for bringing back this keystone species to rivers in the two countries. Beavers are known for their hugely beneficial effects on wetlands and can play an important role in flood prevention, filtering water and boosting wildlife habitat.

Three years since Defra’s beaver consultation opened and nearly two years since legislation officially recognised beavers as a native species in England, the UK Government has repeatedly failed to put in place the steps needed for their return. This includes the issuing of licences for beavers to be returned to the wild in England and the publishing of strategic plans to enable beavers to be reintroduced. Wales still lacks legislation to protect beavers and enable their effective management. Despite previous political indications that wild releases would be allowed, it has yet to happen.

The Wildlife Trusts’ new vision explains how releasing beavers into the wild – in preference to the fenced enclosures that are currently allowed – will enable beavers to rejoin our native ecology, providing beleaguered wetlands with a powerful natural restoration tool, bringing back life to our rivers and providing a host of benefits to society.

The vision is particularly relevant to Kent, where beavers were first introduced at Ham Fen over 20 years ago with a recent study suggesting the county has the largest beaver population in England.

The beaver population is even evident in urban areas and recently a beaver and kit delighted residents when they were spotted in the Stour in a busy part of Canterbury, demonstrating the remarkable resilience of the mammal.

Kent conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, who were behind the UK’s first beaver reintroduction at Ham Fen over 20 years ago have supported the call for the government to publish a beaver reintroduction strategy and offer more support to farmers and management groups so these ecosystem engineers can continue to grow in number and improve our environment.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s Director of Conservation, Paul Hadaway says:

“Over the last two decades, we have seen the difference these incredible ecosystem engineers have made to Ham Fen, Kent’s last remaining area of fenland. In the 90s, it was in danger of drying out entirely, but since beavers were introduced, it has transformed into a thriving wetland, supporting an array of species, improving the water quality, locking up carbon in the restored peat and making the area more resilient to the threats posed by climate change.

“We are living in a nature and climate emergency and beavers are a powerful tool in our armoury to fight back. Our efforts to do more are being hindered by legislation and the new government has the power to change this. So, we are asking for them to offer more support to farmers, support beaver management groups like the East Kent Beaver Advisory Group and publish a beaver reintroduction strategy.”

Wildwood Trust’s Director of Conservation Laura Gardner says:

 “Returning a missing species to our landscape, which brings such proven eco-system services is an easy win when faced with the biodiversity and climate change crises; however the current lack of enabling legislation could potentially risk the health and welfare of these wonderful animals.”

To support the ambition to bring back beavers to the wild, The Wildlife Trusts call on the UK and Welsh Governments to:

  • Publish an ambitious beaver reintroduction strategy
  • Fund farmers and land managers in the two countries to make more space for water on their land
  • Support beaver management groups
  • Confirm all wild beavers can remain in England and Wales
  • Recognise beavers as a native species in Wales and provide them with full legal protection

The Wildlife Trusts are committed to working with communities and authorities to support successful wild beaver releases across England and Wales. This commitment aligns with UK Government’s target to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030. The Wildlife Trusts want to work with a range of partners and stakeholders to ensure Beaver Management Groups can enable people to live in harmony alongside beavers.

Modelling work undertaken by the University of Exeter and The Wildlife Trusts will help land managers understand which areas are most suitable for beavers – this work will enable beaver groups to understand where to focus reintroduction and management efforts.

Professor Richard Brazier, director of the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) at the University of Exeter, says:

“The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence on the impacts of beaver reintroduction is positive. Unsurprisingly, as a keystone species that has evolved over millions of years, the beaver has adapted to create ecosystems that are resilient to droughts, floods and the wide range of ways in which humans degrade the environment. We would do well to learn from this species. Renewing our coexistence with this animal and thus enabling the beaver to modify landscapes that can again deliver multiple ecosystem services to society is an obvious and sensible thing to do.”

You can read A vision for the return of beavers to England and Wales here.

Help us help beavers!

If you would like to support Kent Wildlife Trust’s work you can join as a member, donate, go on a beaver safari or purchase an adopt a species pack.

Editor's notes

Kent beaver footage and images

Editor’s notes:

Contact Sally.smith@kentwildlife.org.uk07376 44556

Legislation:

England: Legislation to protect beavers in England passed on 1st October 2022. Historic day for beavers in England | The Wildlife Trusts. Beavers are also listed as a European Protected Species.

Scotland: New beaver strategy for Scotland | Scottish Wildlife Trust (2022)

Welsh beaver project: All about beavers | North Wales Wildlife Trust

Three years since Defra’s beaver consultation opened on 25th August 2021: Consultation on approach to beaver reintroduction and management in England - Defra - Citizen Space – see Summary of responses and next steps - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 2.9.22. When Environment Secretary, George Eustice delivered a speech at a Wildlife Trust site in 2021, he indicated the Government would allow wild releases – but this has yet to happen. See Environment Secretary speech at Delamere Forest on restoring nature and building back greener - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Evidence: The Wildlife Trusts and partner organisations have built up an impressive body of independent evidence relating to beavers and their impacts. Our collaborations with the University of Exeter have generated 24 peer reviewed scientific papers. As well as research in the UK, there are further studies in continental Europe and decades of research in North America. See River Otter Beaver Trial | University of Exeter and Beavers in enclosures | Devon Wildlife Trust.

People’s attitudes: Surveys conducted local to the river Otter in Devon, and nationally, by University of Exeter researchers in 2017 found that 86% of 2,741 people supported beaver reintroduction. In 2019, repeat surveys found that 90% were supportive (386 people surveyed). ROBT 2020 Update.pdf

Beavers in Scotland

In 2009, wild beavers were returned to Scotland in a groundbreaking project led by Scottish Wildlife Trust. The beaver is now recognised as a legally-protected native species in Scotland, and Scottish Government published a long-term strategy to help beavers become established throughout Scotland’s lochs, burns and rivers, so that people and wildlife will benefit from their presence.

The Wildlife Trusts and beavers

The Wildlife Trusts have been at the forefront of beaver release successes for decades. We have:

  • Led the first beaver enclosure and were lead partners in the only two wild releases (Knapdale and Devon)
  • Built strong partnerships including with eNGOs, scientists, UK and devolved governments and their agencies, landowners, rural businesses, and fisheries organisations
  • A strong presence on the ground, which gives us excellent knowledge of local conditions and links into communities.

The Wildlife Trusts are ready to play a leading role in ensuring an ambitious strategy for beaver reintroduction can be successfully delivered in partnership with all those who have a stake in the future health of our wetlands. See Beavers | The Wildlife Trusts.