Our Beaver Project, launched in 2025 after an initial Crowdfunder UK campaign and help from the Aviva Community Fund, is building the case for our own licenced beaver release in Cornwall.
Beavers were wiped out in the UK around 400-500 years ago due to hunting and persecution but are now making a comeback right across the country.
In Cornwall, incredible work has been done by organisations such as the Cornwall Beaver Project, the Cornwall Seal Sanctuary, the Lost Gardens of Helligan, and others to establish enclosed beaver colonies and showcase the enormous benefits of bringing beavers back to the region.
In times past, beavers were highly valued for their pelts and for a secretion from their anal glands called castoreum — which is still used in perfumes and food flavourings in some countries today. They were also falsely blamed for reducing fish stocks in Britain and were subsequently persecuted to extinction.
The irony is that not only do beavers not eat fish (a common misconception that still exists today), but their dams help provide spawning pools for fish such as trout and actually help improve fish stocks.
The reality is that it was human activity causing the loss of fish stocks, but the beaver paid the price.
Beavers are renowned as true ecosystem engineers. And it’s a reputation they thoroughly deserve. Beaver-modified habitats benefit a whole host of wildlife, including bats, birds, small mammals, fish, and amphibians.
The image below, courtesy of Jeroen Helmer/ARK Rewilding Netherlands, illustrates the many benefits beaver constructed habitats can bring to an area.
Beavers and Water Voles
Beavers create ponds behind their dams, as well as channels to move water around in their habitat, which in turn provide perfect habitat for water voles.
In return, water vole droppings bring vital nutrients to beaver dams, feeding the mycorrhizal fungi networks and encouraging plant growth.
This compliments and potentially powers up our ongoing project to restore water vole populations in Cornwall.
Beavers and Ospreys
By creating ponds behind their dams, beavers increase fish populations and provide hunting opportunities for ospreys. Standing deadwood can also be used by ospreys as perches to hunt from around such ponds or, in some cases, serve as natural platforms to support their large nests.
This will be a welcome addition to the artificial osprey platforms we at Kernow Conservation have installed around Cornwall to help speed their recovery.
Beaver Ipact on Water Flow and Quality
The presence of beavers in the environment can be hugely beneficial during periods of both high and low rainfall.
During high rainfall events, beaver areas slow water flow and can reduce downstream flooding, which is ideal for wet winters in Cornwall.
When there is low rainfall or drought, beaver areas store water and release it more slowly, meaning more water for longer during dry spells.
Beaver dams also slow and filter water, which causes sediment and nutrients to settle in the ponds behind the dams. Beaver habitats reduce nitrogen pollution, with bacteria in the ponds digesting nitrates, whilst sediments trap other pollutants.
The Kernow Conservation Beaver Project
Our Beaver Project launched in early 2025 after initial crowdfunding and help from the Aviva Community Fund.
In February 2025, the government finally announced that wild beaver releases in England were to be legalised. This has allowed us to continue our work with renewed purpose.
For the first year, we’ll engage with landowners and other stakeholders in potential areas for beaver reintroductions. While also building the case and fulfilling the requirements for obtaining a licence to release beavers.
Watch this space for more.
If you wish to help us by supporting the Beaver Project, you can donate to our Beaver Appeal or become one of our personal or business members.
For more direct support, engagement and a chance to align your brand at the front of our project and communications, you can sponsor this project from £5,000. Get in touch to discuss.
Your contribution will play a vital role in our mission.
