Shropshire Hills Beaver Reintroduction: Restoring Rivers with Nature’s Engineers
The Shropshire Hills Beaver Reintroduction is a pioneering river restoration project bringing beavers back to the uplands of the River Clun. In collaboration with local landowners, conservation experts, and government agencies, this initiative is reintroducing a breeding pair of beavers to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and help manage flood risk for communities downstream.
Restoring Natural Processes and River Health
Beavers are renowned as nature’s engineers, with their dam-building and habitat creation playing a crucial role in restoring river health. Their activities store water in the landscape, slow river flows, and create rich wetland environments that support a diverse range of wildlife.
This project aims to:
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Enhance biodiversity by creating wetland habitats
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Improve water quality by filtering pollutants and increasing oxygen levels
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Reduce flood risk by holding water in the landscape and slowing runoff
These benefits are particularly important for the River Clun, which frequently experiences flash flooding in winter and dangerously low flows in summer. By reintroducing beavers, we are helping to build a more resilient river system.
A Carefully Managed Reintroduction
The beavers have been released into a 6.5-hectare enclosure in the upper River Clun catchment, a site carefully chosen to support their natural behaviours while balancing conservation and land management. To help them settle, a temporary lodge has been constructed, providing shelter as they establish their territory.
To maintain species-rich grasslands alongside wetland creation, the project integrates short-term cattle grazing, demonstrating how wildlife restoration and sustainable farming can work in harmony.
Collaborative Conservation for a Sustainable Future
This project is led by Severn Rivers Trust in partnership with:
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Shropshire Wildlife Trust – supporting ecological monitoring
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Derek Gow Consultancy – a leading expert in beaver reintroductions
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Brynmawr Farm – a flagship organic farm in the Clun Valley hosting the beavers
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Environment Agency & Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team – providing funding and oversight
Joe Pimblett, CEO of Severn Rivers Trust, highlights the significance of this work:
“The exceptional challenges facing our rivers—declining water quality, habitat loss, and increased flooding—require bold solutions. By bringing beavers back to the uplands, we are working with nature to rebuild healthier and more resilient landscapes.”
This initiative is not just about beavers—it’s about restoring balance to our rivers, strengthening rural communities, and ensuring a future where people and wildlife can thrive together.
