Project Beaver

The River Axe and its headwaters are among the few rivers carrying Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designations for nature and morphology.

Along its reaches, the catchment borders that of the River Otter, home to the largest breeding population of wild beaver in England, creatures that have a well-earned reputation as eco-system engineers. Transforming landscapes by building dams that slow the flow of water, creating wetlands and habitats for wildlife – as well as helping reconnect our rivers with the land around them.

Territorial competition on the Otter means that beavers will move into the Axe – which is why we want to be uniquely pro-active in preparing our catchment for it. Being pro-active enables us to identify opportunities, manage and mitigate for potential challenges, and work with the landscape and its communities.

Education is at the heart of that journey. By learning how beavers shape ecosystems, we can help people understand our rivers, value wetlands, and feel part of the conversation. Landowners, farmers, schools, conservation groups, local organisations and residents all have a role to play in creating a model that can be lifted and adopted for other catchments in the future.

Together, we can prepare our catchment for beavers – creating space for nature, inspiring learning, and building stronger communities connected to their river - to help make living with beavers a more harmonious experience – both for them and for us.