New guidance published today by The Wildlife Trusts and Beaver Trust sets out the practical support and funding needed to welcome beavers back across England while ensuring both farmers and beavers can thrive. The charities are urging the UK Government to provide long-term support and warn that future cuts to nature-friendly farming grants could undermine the successful return of this native species. 

 The Wildlife Trusts and Beaver Trust are calling on the Government to:

• Provide long-term funding to farmers for the creation of beaver-friendly habitats, such as restored riverbanks and wetlands, equipping them to facilitate the return of beavers to their land.
• Introduce incentives that encourage coordinated action along river corridors across neighbouring farms.
• Establish a Beaver Mitigation Fund to support farmers and landowners to minimise beaver impacts and ensure all support is simple, flexible and accessible, so that they can respond easily as beavers return.

Last month, two projects in southwest England – including one led by Cornwall Wildlife Trust - released pairs of beavers into the wild, following the Government's landmark decision to approve the first licensed wild release of beavers in Dorset last year. 

After being hunted to extinction more than 400 years ago, beavers are now recognised as a European Protected Species and an increasingly valuable but threatened part of England's natural environment. With the right support, returning beavers can greatly benefit farming and the wider landscape by building dams that slow water - helping to restore rivers, reduce flood risk, ease drought, and create thriving wetlands that support a rich diversity of wildlife.  

With further beaver release applications underway across the country, this is a key moment to ensure the right incentives and support systems are in place so farmers, businesses and landowners can thrive alongside returning wildlife for years to come.  

The Government has recently confirmed that key funds will be available this year through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), supporting farmers to make space along river edges to accommodate beavers and the habitats they create. The guidance from The Wildlife Trusts and Beaver Trust also recommends further improvements to the scheme, as well as ensuring the availability of targeted actions through wider Environmental Land Management Schemes and a complementary Beaver Mitigation Fund to ensure long term success. 

Ali Morse, Water Policy Manager at The Wildlife Trusts, said: 

“We’re pleased to see that the Government has retained measures in the Sustainable Farming Incentive to help farmers live and work alongside beavers, providing simple options that allow them to choose what works best for their business. However, this must also be backed up by payments in the Countryside Stewardship scheme. Any future restrictions to funding risk undermining the successful comeback beavers have made in England and could limit the many benefits from bring for water management and biodiversity." 

Where land is ploughed or grazed close to the river's edge, beaver activity can come into conflict with some farm operations. But where farmers can access support for nature-friendly practices - such as payments to allow natural river conditions to develop - farmland can be set back from the river, preventing conflict and supporting both farming and wildlife. 

Farmers can also currently access funding for practical measures such as tree guards, fencing, and where necessary, the licensed modification or removal of beaver dams. The charities stress that such funding must be sufficient and easily accessible, as farmers may need to react quickly.  

Jess Chappell, Policy Lead at Beaver Trust said: “This is a truly exciting time for beaver restoration, with real opportunities to support positive coexistence. By putting the right policies in place to reward farmers and landowners for restoring river corridors, we can create the space needed for beavers and the habitats they shape, allowing them to thrive alongside farming. Supporting joined-up action across neighbouring farms while making space for nature will be key to minimising conflict and maximising beaver benefits moving forward.”

Read the briefing: Becoming beaver-ready