Enviro News Asia, London — Natural England has approved the release of Eurasian beavers at two new project sites in South West England, marking a further milestone in the country’s nature recovery efforts. The releases are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
The decision follows the first licensed wild release of beavers in Dorset last year, after a landmark government policy change allowing the reintroduction of the species into the wild following centuries of absence from England’s waterways.
Beavers are widely recognised as keystone species and powerful ecosystem engineers. Through dam-building and wetland creation, they contribute to natural flood management, enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and increase resilience to climate change. Once widespread across England, beavers became extinct due to historical overhunting and habitat loss.
Natural England Chief Executive Marian Spain described the approvals as a significant step forward for environmental restoration in the region, stressing that the long-term success of beaver reintroductions depends on carefully planned, collaborative projects that balance ecological benefits with community needs.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh highlighted the broader environmental value of beavers, noting their role in mitigating floods and droughts while creating habitats for other species. She said the reintroduction programme aligns with the government’s wider commitment to protecting and restoring nature.
The Environment Agency, which has supported the development of the projects, emphasized that flood risk, fisheries, and other potential challenges have been carefully considered. According to the agency, the approved projects demonstrate how beaver releases can deliver tangible benefits for both people and ecosystems when supported by strong management frameworks.
To minimise potential conflicts with farming, food production, and infrastructure, all wild beaver release projects are required to submit detailed 10-year management plans before receiving approval. Natural England has identified 32 projects nationwide with the potential to meet wild release criteria, with eleven already invited to apply.
The phased approach is intended to allow communities time to adapt, build trust, and ensure that beavers can become a permanent and valued part of England’s natural landscape. (*)
