Beaver Appeal
We have a plan to bring beavers back to Northamptonshire, but we need your help!
It’s been more than 400 years since wild beavers were seen in Northamptonshire, but we have been granted permission to release a family group at Nene Wetlands nature reserve, in a safe, enclosed area surrounding a lake.
Beavers are expert habitat engineers and can create diverse habitats that benefit a range of species. We will be monitoring them closely as they help restore this wetland habitat. As well as protecting the environment we hope they will inspire a new generation to care for nature.
Together we can bring beavers back, please donate today and help raise the money needed to make this plan a reality!
Where would the beavers be?
The Trust has been granted permission to reintroduce beavers at the Delta Pit wetland at our Nene Wetlands nature reserve, next to the popular Rushden Lakes shopping centre, in Northamptonshire.
The family group of beavers are intended to be introduced into the far edge of the nature reserve, but before the release takes place preparatory work including tree management and the construction of a fence will be required.
Bring beavers back to Northamptonshire
FAQs
What happens to my donation?
The funds raised for this appeal will be used to help with the reintroduction of beavers to Delta Pit within the Nene Wetlands Nature Reserve. Should we not reach our target amount, we will still proceed with the beaver reintroduction however, some of the planned resources and activities may be put on hold until we can raise further funds.
Any additional donations above our target are gratefully received and will go towards conservation work at Nene Wetlands and other reserves at the discretion of the Trust.
Why are we reintroducing beavers?
As a keystone species present in ever increasing numbers within the country there is significant existing scientific research showing the positive impacts of beavers on wetlands. At Delta Pit the presence of beavers will complement and reduce the need for the existing site management by staff and contractors in the removal of willow growth around the lake edges, restoring areas of reedbed and diversifying the marginal vegetation through foraging behaviours. This will benefit the wetland birds, for which the site is designated a SSSI, by creating more roosting and feeding habitat as well as other wildlife such as invertebrates and bats.
Releasing a family of beavers into one of our most public destination reserve will provide a unique opportunity for people to observe this iconic species on their doorstep, allowing for significant public engagement both on beavers and their ecology and the wider work of the Trust.
Why Nene Wetlands?
We had a feasibility study conducted by the Beaver Trust, and Delta Pit was chosen as the most ecologically suitable site. Given it is already fenced off with no public access to provide a refuge for waterbirds and other wildlife, there should be less disturbance than other more accessible parts of the Nene Valley.
How will you make the enclosure safe?
The beaver fencing that will be installed is to an exact specification from Natural England that has been agreed following a full site survey with any risks appropriately considered, making sure we keep the beavers safe and that they don't escape. All stock gates will be designed to an approved beaver proof specification.
What do they eat?
Contrary to popular belief, beavers only eat plants - not just trees but brambles and other plants too. They will eat leaves, bark, the cellulose underneath the bark, twigs and roots but despite their eagerness to cut down trees, they do not eat the wood. Instead they use the wood to build dams and lodges.
Will they destroy trees and will they build a dam?
They don’t kill or destroy trees, they coppice them - these grow back and provide more spaces for wildlife. Beavers are often known as eco-engineers, they are only doing what our rangers would be doing on our wetland reserve to provide the best habitat for wildlife, but will be doing it far better than we can!
They are unlikely to build dams in Delta Lake: beavers usually build dams in rivers to create lagoons in which they can better protect themselves from predators and in which they often build their family lodges which are accessed from underwater. The ideal depth of water a beaver seems to seek behind any dam is around 70cm (28”) so they will probably feel no need to dam here. In fact in other areas of the world such as Telemark in Norway where studies have been carried out, no damming activity has taken place at all in similar circumstances.