It was inspiring to hear from Heather Devey of the Cumbria Beaver Project at our Zoom meeting on Thursday 8th April 2021. Heather gave an eloquent, knowledgeable and enthusiastic overview of the current state of Beavers in the UK and the plans for their future. Beavers have had it tough in this country, historically hunted to extinction for their meat, fur, and even perfume. Now through the dedicated work of conservationists like Heather, they’re on the brink of return – very welcome to many people, but a cause for concern to others. Heather discussed the issues, from beavers’ uniquely well-adapted anatomy that enables them to be such accomplished Ecosystem Engineers, through the many benefits of the wetlands they make and their preferred diet (plants, not fish!), to ways of controlling their impact and minimising conflict with humans.
Watch the video and enjoy, then visit Cumbria Beaver Project and The Beaver Trust to see loads more about this charismatic species and how it can help us manage the wildlife and climate emergency.