Beaver comeback
Cornwall Wildlife Trust has launched a major new appeal to support the return of wild beavers to Cornwall’s rivers and wetlands. This exciting step follows the Government’s approval of licences for wild release earlier this year.
Once extinct in England, beavers are now returning thanks to carefully planned and monitored reintroductions - and with the right support, Cornwall could become a stronghold for this remarkable species.
The appeal will help the Trust raise essential funds to reintroduce beavers into carefully selected river catchments, where they can have the biggest ecological impact. Donations will fund habitat surveys, community engagement, licensing costs, and long-term ecological monitoring. The Trust is also working with local landowners and communities to ensure the reintroductions benefit both people and wildlife.
The project aiming to return beavers to the wild in Cornwall
Beavers are nature’s engineers, using their dam-building and water-slowing behaviour to restore wetlands, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. As they reshape the landscape, they also create habitats that benefit many other species - from amphibians and insects to fish, birds, and mammals.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust believes the return of beavers marks a turning point in the fight to restore nature in Cornwall. But they can’t do it alone. The public’s support is vital in helping to bring this charismatic species back, and keeping them here for good.
Beavers are a keystone species, animals that have a powerful, positive impact on the environment. By building dams and digging channels, they transform landscapes, creating wetlands that support a wide range of life. Their activities slow water flow, reduce downstream flooding, improve water quality, and store water during dry periods. The wetlands created by beavers offer ideal conditions for wildlife such as frogs, dragonflies, herons, and otters. These restored habitats also store carbon, boost biodiversity, and help nature recover. With careful planning and community support, Cornwall Wildlife Trust hopes to make beavers a common sight once again across the county.
Join a beaver walk
Support the beaver comeback by donating to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s appeal at cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/beavers, or book a guided beaver walk this summer to learn more. Visit cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/events
