Bring Beavers Back Appeal

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This isn't just about the reintroduction of a species - it's about the reintroduction of an entire ecosystem that's been lost since Britain's beavers were hunted to extinction.

As part of a five-year 'nature-led' project, we released a pair of Eurasian beavers into a 10-acre enclosure at Hatchmere Nature Reserve on the edge of Delamere Forest. It was hoped the reintroduction of these ecosystem engineers would help restore precious wetlands lost over time since beavers were hunted to extinction 400 years ago.

Over the last five years, the landscape has been transformed. What was once largely grassland and woodland has evolved into a thriving wetland, interlaced with beaver-built canals and dams. They have been breeding successfully since 2022 and the family have been helping to improve water quality in the neighbouring Hatch Mere SSSI.

Earlier this year, the government announced that they are accepting applications for the wild release of beavers. At this time, we've chosen to secure a further five-year licence from Natural England for the enclosure at Hatchmere Nature Reserve. A wild release requires strong evidence that beavers can adapt and thrive, along with long-term plans to make sure they can live harmoniously alongside farms and local communities.

Alice Buller, Living Landscape Officer who leads the Delamere Beaver Project adds, "Now that our licence has been extended for another five years, the beavers can continue to play a vital role in improving water quality in Hatch Mere SSSI, while further data collection and analysis will strengthen our understanding of their long-term impacts. This next phase will also allow the enclosure to stabilise, following the initial five years of significant change and adjustment."

Going forwards, research projects will continue, alongside regular population monitoring through trail cameras and evening surveys. Whilst maintaining the enclosure for a further five years will support the beavers and enable the habitat they call home to flourish even further, this won't come without its challenges.

The enclosure requires ongoing maintenance including dedicated staff time, infrastructure upkeep, repairs and monitoring. As well as this, the health and welfare of the beavers is a critical consideration.

If you'd like to support our family of beavers, please donate to this appeal.

You can watch footage of our beaver family on our YouTube channel.

Donate £32

£32 could survey one acre of habitat for wildlife

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Donate £105

£105 could buy a camera to capture more beaver behaviour

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Donate £155

£155 could pay for a water quality test at Hatchmere Lake SSSI

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What's the cost?

Over the next five years, it is estimated that it will cost £25,500 each year (that's just under £500 each week) to look after the beavers and monitor the effects they’re having on Hatchmere’s wetlands. 

Any donation, no matter how big or small, will help us to maintain the enclosure.  

We have every hope that this exciting project will pave the way for further beaver reintroductions in Cheshire and across the UK!

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How much have we raised so far?

Over the last five years, we've raised £87,000. As well as building a beaver-proof fence allowing us to safely release the pair of beavers into the enclosure, we've used this to fund the installation of a bridge, boardwalk and flow devices. The money has also been used to carry out annual health checks - one of the conditions of our licence from Natural England requires us to calmly and carefully trap and check each beaver. There's also costs associated with the general running of the enclosure, equipment, materials and staff time.

Any donation, no matter how big or small, will help us to maintain the enclosure. 

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Why beavers?

Beavers are nature’s finest ‘wetland engineers’, driven by instinct and the relentless desire to create their ideal breeding grounds.
Beaver dams raise water levels across the meadows downstream, turning them into a giant water filter. That means purer water for Hatch Mere, which in turn flows out to the River Weaver, on its way to the River Mersey and finally the sea.
By removing trees and creating standing deadwood, the beavers allow more light to reach the woodland floor. This, along with their digging activities, creates ideal conditions for insects to thrive, in turn attracting a variety of native mammals and birds.
The pools help settle river-borne sediment, which keeps the downstream water cleaner, creating ideal conditions for fish to spawn.
Cleaner water then flows out into the neighbouring SSSI – so Hatch Mere and its surrounding peat bog habitats can finally recover.

Why Hatchmere Nature Reserve?

Man-made problems are destroying rare habitats at Hatchmere Nature Reserve and killing aquatic life in the wetlands and in Hatch Mere lake.
Peat bogs are delicate habitats which need nutrient-poor water. But the brook flowing into the site has become far too rich and nutrient-packed, so the peat bog plants and animals are losing their fight for survival.
Invasive species like nettles and bramble are thriving on the rich water supply – reducing sunlight and accelerating the loss of peat bog life.

Can I see the beavers if I visit Hatchmere Nature Reserve?

The beaver enclosure is located around Hatchmere Brook on the edge of Hatchmere Nature Reserve which inflows into Hatchmere lake. Although the enclosure is not open to the public, part of it can be viewed from the boardwalk at the nature reserve. The 870 metre beaver-proof fence around the enclosure was made possible by generous donations to our beaver appeal. The enclosure is 10 acres - that's about the size of eight and a half football pitches!  