Author name: Sophie Pavelle

Matt Mills says, ‘But as the eagles north of the border continue to thrive and seek new territories, attitudes and interest grow, and we make huge steps in preparing the landing ground, we are on the brink of a new era for Britain’s wilder wildlife.’

Nicky Saunter writes about, ‘a remarkable keyworker, the power of art, the importance of science and how the beaver brought them all together.’

Dan Stathers says, ‘in the race for survival it was the tunnelling beavers’ semi-aquatic cousins which proved a force to be reckoned with.’

James Wallace says, ‘The trick, I’ve observed, with beavers and people, is to welcome all comers, to promote humility and mutual respect, to be prepared for change, to share the learning and make it worth everyone’s while’

Charlotte Murray says, ‘Prison is not a place I imagined that I would have learned this lesson, and it taught me a few things about the value of nature.’

Alexandra Beaumont says, ‘There seems to be a growing contingent of writers out there weaving folklore and nature back into their writing… I hope this will be a part of breaking the dam, if you will, on nature in our literature and help bring it flooding back into our lives.’

Kirsty Crawford says, “Something clicked in me after the field trip. To travel deep into the forest, stand at the edge of the loch at midnight where across the water beaver families stirred and swam for the first time in 400 years.”

George Cook says, ‘Whilst swimming I have come eye to eye with moorhens and had kingfishers blur over my head. When I am in the river, I feel truly connected to the wild world.’

Nicky Saunter says, ‘I saw for myself how a beaver-made landscape can slow the flow of water, hold back the silt and prevent flooding downstream. Perhaps we could watch and learn?’

Penny Green says, ‘one huge lesson that came from this is that there is immense support from the public, farmers and anglers locally for the return of the beaver’