Credit: David Parkyn
Natural ally, totem for change
The planet is in climate crisis and we regularly face the opposite extremes of flooding and water shortages. On top of this, wildlife numbers are plummeting.
We need to adapt to climate change, regenerate our land and restore our rivers. But how?
One fast way is to slow the flow in the rivers and streams that crisscross our river catchments. We can do some of this with engineering – but it is expensive. We can also look to natural solutions and this is where beavers can help.
Beavers build series of dams that filter out pollutants, reduce flooding, store water in pools for times of drought, and attract a huge host of other wildlife. They also bring challenges – they will change our rivers and landscapes and this can disrupt existing land use.
Beavers are an ally providing ecosystem engineering and act as a totem for reconnecting people with the rest of nature, helping us create nature recovery networks along our rivers.
Beaver Trust helps communities to welcome beavers back to Britain. We work with landholders, fishers, farmers, foresters, conservationists, government, communities and families.
We help find ways to make space for beavers and their wetlands, and learn how to live alongside them again by aligning interests and catalysing change.