Devon beavers spark national conference

When beavers appeared on the River Otter, most people welcomed their return to Devon.

A similar public response was seen in response to Scottish reintroductions to the rivers Tay and Knapdale. They also sparked a debate about the potential benefits of restoring wildlife.

For example, could beaver dams be a natural way to reduce flood risks?

Could pine marten reintroductions help control unwanted grey squirrel populations?  And could peat bog restoration improve drinking water quality?

All of these issues will be explored next week in a national conference in Exeter, hosted by The Mammal Society, Devon Mammal Group and Devon Wildlife Trust.

Fiona Mathews, Chair of The Mammal Society, said: “If wildlife restoration can bring benefits to people as well as to biodiversity then everyone is a winner.

"Experts from across the country will be sharing their experiences of how to make ambitious projects a success.

"We are delighted that leading policy makers, as well as conservation organisations and members of the public are coming together to work out a sustainable future for people and for wildlife.”

The second day of the meeting will focus specifically on beavers.  These charismatic creatures have captured the hearts of the public and wildlife organisations.  Devon Wildlife Trust, which has co-ordinated efforts keep the beavers in Devon, and Richard Brazier from The University of Exeter, will provide updates on the effect of beavers on local waterways.  In addition, the leaders of the Scottish beaver reintroduction trial, which has now been running for several years, will give their perspectives.

Mark Elliott from Devon Wildlife Trust said: “The River Otter beaver Trial is genuinely exciting for mammal and wetland ecologists, and is a vital chance to study how beavers can re-integrate themselves back into the English landscape. We’re hoping that bringing together such a wide range of different perspectives will enable us to discuss the monitoring plans for the Beaver Trial in some detail, and identify some of the research opportunities that it will present.”

For more information, the full program of events and to book a place, visit http://www.mammal.org.uk/events/mammal-societys-autumn-symposium, or contact info@themammalsociety.org.

The event coincides with National Mammal Week, which runs from the 25th October to the 1st November.