Natural England and Environment Agency approve beaver releases in South West England

Key Information:

Who: Natural England, the Environment Agency, and Nature Minister Mary Creagh.

What: Official approval for the release of beavers at two new project sites.

Where: Two catchments in South West England, building on existing work in Devon and Dorset.

When: Releases are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Why: To create natural flood defences, improve water quality, and support nature recovery.

The Natural England beaver release South West programme has reached a major milestone with the official approval of two new project sites.

These releases, scheduled for the coming weeks, follow a landmark government decision to reintroduce wild Eurasian beavers to English waterways after centuries of absence.

Beavers are known as "keystone species" because they create complex habitats that benefit a wide range of other wildlife. By building dams and creating wetlands, these animals act as climate champions, providing natural flood defences and helping to improve water quality in our rivers.

Restoring local waterways through the Natural England beaver release South West

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said the return of beavers is a vital part of the government’s mission to protect and restore nature. The projects aim to maximise environmental "wins" for both local people and the landscape.

Reintroducing beavers to the region is a significant step for nature recovery. Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, emphasised that the success of these projects is built on engagement and trust with local communities.

Managing the Natural England beaver release South West for residents

The Environment Agency has helped shape these proposals to ensure that benefits are maximised while managing challenges, particularly regarding flood risk and fisheries. All wild release projects must demonstrate 10-year plans to support the animals before a licence is granted.

This gradual approach allows residents and farmers time to adapt. To support this, Natural England has launched a new mapping tool to help people understand the suitability and potential impacts of beavers on different watercourses.

By working with voices from the farming, forestry, and water sectors, the government is developing a Long Term Management Plan. This ensures the Natural England beaver release South West initiative creates a permanent and valued addition to the local environment.