Beavers are set to return to English waterways for the first time in centuries, with the government granting licensed releases for nature groups. Secretary of State for the Environment, Steve Reed, is on the verge of announcing this initiative, which could commence as early as this autumn. Historically, beavers disappeared from Britain around 400 years ago due to hunting for their fur, meat, and scent oil. However, they have been making a comeback over the past two decades through both legal and unauthorized releases, with about 500 now estimated to be living in the wild in England.
The reintroduction of beavers is praised for their role in creating wildlife habitats and mitigating flooding by altering waterways and creating pools. The government is crafting guidelines that will allow for the release projects to submit 10-year plans to demonstrate how these projects will influence the landscape. Initially, there were authorities’ hesitations to fully support the project, fearing it could upset farmers and be perceived as a legacy project of the Conservative government. However, it was suggested that beavers could contribute to the Labour party’s growth mission, offering free labor to build infrastructure and enhance nature.
Environmental groups welcome this decision, pointing out that beavers not only aid in restoring rivers and wetlands but also enhance biodiversity. Organizations like Wildlife and Countryside Link and the National Trust have projects ready to release beavers, with one such plan at Studland Bay in Dorset. However, some farm groups express concern and suggest that there should be measures in place to control the beavers should they become a nuisance.
Overall, the government aims to manage the reintroduction of beavers in a way that minimizes potential negative effects on farming, food production, and infrastructure. This policy has been in development for almost a decade and marks a significant step toward irreversible environmental recovery.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/28/beavers-released-english-waterways-government-licence
