The story so far
A University of Exeter study, commissioned by the National Trust and a group of partners, identified suitable beaver habitats in Purbeck. We then talked with landowners, engaged with the local community and listened to a broad range of views.
The feedback revealed widespread enthusiasm for bringing beavers back to Purbeck and helped to identify the measures needed to manage any potential impacts, steering us towards proposing a phased reintroduction plan.
The site chosen to begin is Little Sea in Studland, picked because it is an area of optimal habitat surrounded by sea and dry heath, both inhospitable to beavers, so they are unlikely to spread easily. This means the new arrivals will be in a safe environment on a national nature reserve while we monitor their impact.
If the Little Sea release is approved by the Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), it could be the UK’s first licence for an unfenced release of beavers into the wild.
At this time, unfenced licence applications are unlikely to be processed until the government make a national decision about the future of beaver releases and the policy around management of beavers in England. We currently expect this to reach a conclusion at the end of the summer months and so could see the first releases at Little Sea as early as spring 2022.
Should a Little Sea reintroduction be successful we would in time consider applying for a licence to carry out a second phase. Phase two would involve us working with other landowners to return beavers across the Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve, with all the benefits to water quality and biodiversity that would bring.
For more information on the Purbeck Beaver Project or about how to get involved please contact Gen Crisford.
You can read about the proposals in more detail here: Purbeck Beaver Project phased proposal summary (PDF / 0.3828125MB) download