A new programme to reintroduce beavers to Gloucestershire is being explored by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Forestry England. They are currently surveying parts of the county to assess their suitability for the reintroduction.
Supporters of the plan suggest that beavers could help landscapes become more resilient to drought and climate change. Emily Bowen of the Beaver Trust described beavers as 'keystone species' and 'ecosystem engineers' due to their significant impact on the surrounding landscape.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) would need to approve the measure and has indicated it could make a 'huge difference to nature recovery'. Beavers, known for building dams and creating wetlands, are a native species that have been largely absent from the west of England for approximately 400 years.
Beavers have been present at Greathough Brook in the Forest of Dean since 2018, where surveys have shown a notable increase in biodiversity. A new reintroduction programme in the Severn Vale area would require a government licence, and studies are underway to find suitable locations. A consultation is also taking place with landowners and users who may be affected by changes to the landscape.