Beavers to be reintroduced into West Sussex next year

Thursday, 21 November 2019 15:48

The National Trust has announced plans to release a pair of beavers at a site in West Sussex next Spring, to help with flood management and improve biodiversity. Natural England have approved the plans to release the Eurasian beavers at two sites in the South of England. The local pair will be released into a fenced area at Valewood, on the Black Down Estate on the edge of the South Downs, the other two at Holnicote, on the edge of Exmoor in Somerset. Ben Eardley, project manager for the National Trust at Holnicote, said: "The dams the beavers create will hold water in dry periods, help to lessen flash-flooding downstream and reduce erosion and improve water quality by holding silt." David Elliott, National Trust lead ranger for Valewood in the South Downs, said: "Beavers are nature’s engineers and can create remarkable wetland habitats that benefit a host of species including water voles, wildfowl, craneflies, water beetles and dragonflies. "These in turn help support breeding fish and insect eating birds such as spotted flycatchers." It will be the first reintroduction of the creatures by the charity, since they became extinct in the UK in the 16th century due to hunting. Mark Harold, director of land and nature at the National Trust, said: "We know from the recent State of Nature report that wildlife is in decline, 41 per cent of species since 1970 and 15 per cent of species are under threat from extinction." The conservation charity will spend the next few months getting the habitats ‘beaver-friendly’ in time for their arrival.

More from Sussex News

‘A Kick In The Teeth For Lewes’: Lib Dem MP Expresses Disappointment Over Bus Station Loss

Lewes Lib Dems, including MP James MacCleary, have reacted after efforts to persuade Secretary of State Angela Rayner to overturn the South Downs National Park Authority’s (SDNPA) decision to allow the demolition of Lewes bus station were unsuccessful.
Results For Worthing’s Bathing Water Sites Revealed

Teams from Worthing Borough Council are working with the Environment Agency and Southern Water to identify sources of pollution impacting the town’s seawater.
£100,000 Robbery Of Bexhill Mobile Phone Store

An estimated £100,000 worth of electronic equipment was stolen from a shop in Bexhill on Monday evening (November 25).
Organisations In Wealden Receive Funding To Help Tackle Inequalities In Physical Activity

Six organisations have received grant awards to support physical activity projects within Wealden and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
Festive Children’s Stories Brought To Life With Interactive Story Session

A selection of festive stories for young children will be brought to life in Chichester’s historic Guildhall in Priory Park thanks to an interactive Christmas story session.
Jail Time For Shop Owner Who Sold Illegal Tobacco

A shop owner who failed to appear in court after the discovery of £6,000 worth of illegal tobacco and cigarettes has been jailed.
Funding Boost For Community-Led Waste Prevention Projects In West Sussex

West Sussex County Council has partnered with its recycling and waste contractor Biffa, to launch a new Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund for community-based household waste prevention projects in West Sussex.
Newhaven RNLI Welcomes Quartet Of Mayors To Share Gratitude

Mayors of Peacehaven (Debbie Donovan), Seaford (Sally Markwell), Lewes (Imogen Makepeace) and deputy Mayor of Newhaven (Kim Bishop) were welcomed today by Susan Carroll, Newhaven RNLI’s LMG Chair to visit the lifeboat station. Roger Cohen MBE, (LOM) showed them around.
University Of Brighton Launches Health Innovation Hub To Tackle Health Challenges

The University of Brighton today unveiled its groundbreaking new Health Innovation Hub designed to reshape health research, education, and practice by addressing critical health challenges through collaboration, innovation, and education.
New Residential Care Home For Disabled Children In Brighton

Brighton & Hove City Council are developing a new residential home for disabled children and young people in the city.