Levington Lagoon and the River Orwell - Ronnie Roberts
Wild Beaver Release Projects
The return of beavers could transform the health, security, and climate resilience of East Anglian landscapes; helping to reduce the impacts of flooding, create and improve wetland habitats for other species, improve water quality and reduce river pollution.
On this page, you can read about our ERBAG's approach to beaver reintroduction in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. As wild release projects develop, we will share a summary of them here.
In February 2025, the UK Government formally recognised beavers as a native, protected species and confirmed its support for beaver reintroductions through a licensed process. Natural England assesses applications for wild beaver release licences, considering the suitability of proposals for both beavers and the people living and working alongside them.
The process involves two stages: initial Expression of Interest followed, if approved, by a full application. While lengthy, this process is essential to ensure the necessary discussions, planning and safeguards are in place before beavers are introduced into a water catchment.
Current guidance requires release projects to be planned at the scale of an entire river catchment, encompassing connected waterways from source to sea. This ensures projects are developed with consideration for the full area through which beavers may naturally disperse. Although beavers can occasionally travel over land or along short coastal routes, these are less common forms of dispersal.
Jo Hackman Photography
Natural England's guidance also recommends that projects establish populations of at least 10 beaver families per catchment to support genetic diversity. We aim to develop projects that meet this requirement while remaining responsive to local capacity and concerns through measures such as phased releases, with families introduced over several years, and robust contingency plans.
Wildlife Trusts have adopted different approaches to wild release licences. In Devon and Cornwall, for example, the local Wildlife Trusts lead on beaver licensing and mitigation, with their projects playing a pioneering role in beaver reintroduction in England. ERBAG was established by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Essex Wildlife Trust. As a partnership, ERBAG's priority is to provide advice, coordination and facilitation rather than lead future wild beaver release licence applications.
Instead, we aim to support local organisations, such as river trusts, farm clusters and water management companies, to lead projects within their own catchments. ERBAG will continue to play an important role by providing advice, access to expertise and professional networks, and support with engagement, events and governance.
As release projects develop in the eastern region, will list them here with a summary and opportunities to get involved.