How beavers could become key to preventing droughts
This animal could be the key to drought prevention
- The National Trust's Holnicote estate in Somerset has maintained lush vegetation and thriving wetlands despite a very dry spring, thanks to extensive river restoration work including introducing beavers.
- The 'Riverlands' project, launched in 2020, involved restoring the River Aller to its natural 'stage zero' state and reintroducing beavers into enclosures.
- This approach has created a new natural landscape with channels, pools, and marshes that slow water flow, hold water to combat drought and flooding, and reduce pollution.
- The project demonstrates how natural solutions, including beaver reintroduction, can build landscape resilience against extreme weather and provide benefits like healthier grazing.
- The National Trust is now seeking permission for licensed wild beaver releases on the estate, aiming for the animals to integrate with and manage the restored river landscape.