Project Dates: 15.10.2024 to 15.10.2025

Devon is in the unique position of being the only county in England with thriving beaver populations on several rivers. Beaver activities have proved beneficial in combatting England’s freshwater environment challenges and Devon Wildlife Trust is harnessing this on the Tamar. Working closely with landowners, this project provides practical solutions and interventions, finding ways for landowners to benefit from making space for beaver-created wetlands.

The project will build on the success of previous reintroduction efforts, showcasing Devon as a leader in innovative conservation practices and demonstrating how to scale up ecological restoration efforts nationally. The Tamar Beaver Project will work to display and support the role of beavers in ecosystem restoration and inspire widespread support for their role in conservation.

Key deliverables include:

• Identify key opportunity sites where it is possible to maximise the benefits of beavers and harness river restoration benefits.
• Use expert advice to offer quality guidance to stakeholders.
• Advocate with Government to give the River Tamar population the same status as the River Otter, also exploring opportunities for further wild release to reinforce genetics.
• Ongoing monitoring of beaver populations and their ecological impacts, including water quality, biodiversity, and habitat changes utilising knowledge of experienced specialist.

 

Image credits: Devon Wildlife Trust

IMPACT UPDATE MAY 2025

Project Activities:

• Annual forum held in February 2025, attended by around 60 people representing landowners, farmers, water, fisheries and forestry managers, conservation organisations, local authorities, and infrastructure providers.
• Three training events were delivered to 32 people, including teams from Westcountry Rivers Trust, DWT’s Working Wetlands, and Devon and Cornwall councils’ bridges teams.
• Four additional events engaged another 67 people.
• Implemented data collection activities across the Tamar catchment.

 

Project Impacts: 

• The project has raised awareness of beavers in the Tamar through implemented engagement with a variety of stakeholders like landowners, farmers, and conservation groups through events and training.
• Enhance understanding of beaver activity, ecology, signs, and mitigation methods, leading to greater local stakeholder involvement.
• Data collected through the project found 30 active beaver territories plus eight areas of activity in the Tamar catchment, leading to a new understanding of populations on the catchment.