One Planet News: Natural ecosystem engineers will soon be released in the UK

Wildlife Trusts delighted with forthcoming beaver release

By Annette J Beveridge

Natural ecosystem engineers may soon be free to roam and colonise rivers across England as the UK Government has given the go-ahead for applications for release.

Beavers were common here hundreds of years ago and their return to England’s rivers will enable wetland creation, help to filter pollution and improve biodiversity. As wetlands form, aquatic plants colonise the habitat and this helps invertebrates, fish, mammals, insects and birds.

The UK Government has recently committed to spending billions of pounds to combat flooding and as compensation for farmers when crops are lost due to changed weather patterns.

Director of Nature Recovery at Devon Wildlife Trust, Pete Burgess, said: “Beavers are nature’s aquatic engineers and a force of nature. They have unrivalled capacity to breathe new life into our threatened rivers and wetlands. Our 14-year partnership with the University of Exeter has revealed the pivotal role wild beavers play in nature’s recovery and providing multiple benefits that society needs – including a significant reduction in the most damaging flood peaks, drought resilience, improved water quality, and carbon sequestration.

“The beavers in Devon have inspired communities to take action for nature and have boosted tourist visits. I’ve had the privilege of experiencing how wildlife thrives with the return of beavers and wish everyone to have this opportunity in their lives.”

Natural England believes that the reintroduction will help to address the nature crisis and is expected to grant licences to release beavers within the year and wild releases may happen as early as autumn 2025.

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Director of Landscape Recovery at the Wildlife Trusts, Rob Stoneman, said: “Beavers lived alongside us for thousands of years before we hunted them to British extinction a few hundred years ago.

“Now we’ll be able to see beavers return to our rivers and, in turn, witness the way they create new wetlands and flood protection for our homes and ensure better water quality – at almost no cost to society. More than that, we can all experience the magic of seeing beavers back in rivers that will be wilder as a result.

“Now that the first step has been taken to letting beavers be free, we need to see sufficient advice, support, and funding earmarked for landowners to help them facilitate beavers on their land and manage the resulting changes to landscapes.”