Beavers released in Nottinghamshire

A family of four Eurasian Beavers has been released in Nottinghamshire, as the mammal returns to the county after a gap of 400 years.

The release at Idle Valley Nature Reserve stems from a partnership between Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Severn Trent which aims to enhance the natural environment and improve water quality across more than 290 ha of habitat at the reserve.

Eurasian Beaver was last present in Nottinghamshire in the 1600s (Mark Hows).

It is hoped that the beaver introduction will help Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust officials control scrub throughout the reserve, boosting habitat for a range of wetland birds and creating new pools to benefit everything from fish to dragonflies and otters.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust's head of nature recovery Janice Bradley said it had been an "exciting" day for everyone involved and added: "But the real excitement relates to the beavers' capacity to transform landscapes and create rich wetland habitat that supports many other creatures."

Severn Trent's investment will enable the trust to install crucial water control structures to manage water levels on a key part of the Idle Valley Nature Reserve. It will deliver improved habitat for wading birds and Water Voles and across the county it will enable the charity to offer advice and targeted support for farmers and landowners to create meadows, woodlands and ponds.

Janice added: "The projects we are delivering with support from Severn Trent illustrate that serious investment in nature's recovery is good for wildlife, good for communities and good for businesses. By working in partnership, we have the power to address the climate and ecological emergencies through local action."

Principal ecologist at Severn Trent, Graham Osborn said: "We're proud to support this project through our Great Big Nature Boost – a scheme that includes plans to plant over million trees and revive 5,000 ha of land, which will help to restore 2,000 km of rivers across the Midlands."