Ennerdale’s beaver journey
Since 2019, we have aspired to release beavers into Ennerdale Valley in Cumbria.
Early plans for a partial beaver enclosure were paused in October 2023 because there were concerns about the proposed metal grill across the lower River Liza and its potential to deter salmon and trout from passing to their spawning grounds upstream.
A beaver release directly into the wild was not an available option at that time.
New opportunities for free-living beavers in Ennerdale and the River Ehen catchment
The government announced a two-step licensing process to allow beavers to be released into the wild on 28 February 2025.
Step 1: Expression of interest
The expression of interest requires a high-level statement against each of the nine wild release criteria (available at Beavers: criteria for wild release - GOV.UK).
This process avoids applicants, Natural England and other stakeholders investing time on full applications that are unlikely to secure a licence in the first round of applications.
Step 2: Licence application
Only those projects deemed most viable will be invited to make a full application. This will help manage beaver reintroductions at a measured pace.
What will happen next?
Forestry England has submitted an expression of interest for a wild beaver release into Ennerdale, with support from other Wild Ennerdale partnership organisations (National Trust, United Utilities and Natural England).
Our expression of interest is available to view HERE.
We expect to receive a response by early July 2025. If successful, we will engage with those likely to be affected by the proposals from this point.
What can I do?
Share your thoughts
Each catchment and each property will experience beavers differently. Help us develop a comprehensive, site-specific management plan that is practical and relevant to the River Ehen catchment.
- Do you own, live on, work on, or spend your free time on land in the River Ehen catchment with a river, stream or ditch that might be affected by beavers?
- Are there areas on your property where you would welcome co-existence with beavers?
- Do you have infrastructure, vegetation, land use or activities that could be impacted by beavers?
If we are invited to apply for a licence, the points you raise will inform the next steps in our engagement.
Please include your contact details so we can get back in touch.
Contact us
Please contact Hayley Dauben, Species Reintroduction Project Officer at hayley.dauben@forestryengland.uk or 07425 732513.