Boothby Wildland prepares for beaver reintroduction
Efforts include building dams and planting willow in anticipation of the arrival
Boothby Wildland is ready to welcome beavers after extensive preparations, following the granting of a licence by Natural England.
The team has completed specialist training, and volunteers have contributed by planting willow whips to provide habitat and protecting key trees and telegraph poles from potential felling by the beavers.
Traditional Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) constructed from local woodland materials are in place, alongside widened channels designed to encourage water to spread throughout the wildland.
A 200-hectare perimeter fence with enhanced pedestrian and horse gates, bespoke grates on ditches and river flows, badger tunnels, and 'otter ladders' has been installed to ensure the safety and security of the environment.
Additionally, a temporary lodge has been created to help beavers adapt to their new surroundings.
Beavers, recognized as a keystone species, foster wetlands that enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and mitigate flooding by managing water flow.
The arrival of beavers is eagerly anticipated, with hopes for transformative impacts on the Boothby Wildland landscape in the future.