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.

Rob Stoneman, Director of Landscape Recovery at The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“The benefits of Beavers are widely acknowledged and well-evidenced – but across England and Wales, the reintroduction of this keystone species has stalled. Numerous scientific studies have shown that Beavers improve water quality, stabilise water flows during times of drought and flood, and give a huge boost to habitats and to other wildlife. Given the climate and nature crises, we need Beavers back in the wild to give us a hand to resolve these challenges.

“Nature needs Beavers – but at the moment these extraordinary mammals are either living in enclosures where the benefits to communities are limited, or they’ve been released illegally and there are no management plans in place to support land managers. The nations’ Governments must accept that Beavers are here to stay and embrace the big positives they bring so that society can reap the rewards too.”

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.

In Hertfordshire and Middlesex, the Trust is working with local authorities and landholders to explore potential sites for Beaver reintroductions and management. In 2022, a collaboration with the London Borough of Enfield and Capel Manor College saw Beavers reintroduced to a six-hectare enclosure near Forty Hall Estate in Enfield at which the Trust carried out a baseline ecology survey from which change can be assessed. The scheme was carefully designed by Enfield Council in collaboration with project partners as part of the Enfield Chase Landscape Recovery Scheme, in which the Trust is a partner, to support Beaver habitation.

Tim Hill, Conservation Manager at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust says,

“This project has been a significant stepping stone towards reintroducing Beaver to the area. We recognise that enclosures have played a crucial role in testing assumptions and in research, and that they will continue to have an important purpose in specific sites. They also enable communities to see first-hand the benefits that Beavers provide as a step towards their wild release.

“The enclosure at Capel Manor College has fostered a thriving environment where the Enfield family has now successfully reproduced, with four kits having been born this summer, bringing the Beaver family number to seven - the largest in any suburban area of the UK, as well as the first Beaver population to be present in a London borough in over 400 years.

“The college has played a vital role in monitoring and supporting the Beavers ensuring the growing family have everything they need to thrive. Now, we are discussing ways forward with Enfield Council and The Wildlife Trusts’ Beaver Reintroduction Manager, finishing baseline surveys of the wider London Borough of Enfield estate included in the Enfield Chase Landscape Recovery Scheme so that we can monitor future change following any interventions that may take place.”

Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu, Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Public Spaces, says,

“This project is a significant step towards enhancing our local biodiversity and improving natural flood defences. The success of Enfield Council’s Beaver project serves as an inspiring model for future conservation efforts in urban areas. The Beavers are already making a positive impact on the ecosystem, and we look forward to seeing continued benefits for the community and the environment.”

Meg Wilson, Animal Collection Manager at Capel Manor College, says,

“The arrival of the kits highlights the success of our collaboration and the dedication of our staff and students. Monitoring and documenting the positive impact of the Beavers is providing invaluable hands-on learning opportunities and underscores the critical role of biodiversity and natural habitat restoration. We look forward to witnessing the growth of the kits and their future contribution to the transformation or the local ecosystem.”

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.