Beaver Reintroduction: Biodiversity Monitoring project

Brought to you by Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Project Overview

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust Beaver Reintroduction: Biodiversity Monitoring Project was delivered across the Fowey River catchment on Bodmin Moor, focusing on key tributaries including the Warleggan, Cardinham Water and St Neot. The project was funded through Cornwall National Landscape’s Natural Beauty & The Beast Project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Its aim was to increase understanding of how beaver reintroduction contributes to biodiversity, water quality and ecosystem health while building a network of skilled local volunteers to support long-term wildlife monitoring.

Alongside practical fieldwork and volunteer training, the project also funded the creation of a short film produced by Bull & Wolf. The film showcased the biodiversity monitoring work taking place across the catchment and explored the positive impact beaver reintroduction has had on the Fowey river system and surrounding landscapes.

What took place?

A programme of training, fieldwork and community engagement activities was delivered to equip volunteers with the skills needed to monitor biodiversity across the catchment. Participants received training in beaver ecology, eDNA water sampling, riverfly monitoring and wildlife monitoring using trail cameras. These activities helped establish a valuable ecological baseline against which the benefits of beaver activity could be measured in the years ahead.

Volunteers worked alongside conservation specialists to collect data from rivers and tributaries throughout the catchment. This included sampling water for environmental DNA (eDNA), conducting riverfly surveys to assess water quality, and monitoring wildlife through camera trapping and field observations. The project also engaged landowners and local organisations, helping to strengthen understanding of the role beavers can play in creating healthier, more resilient landscapes.

Outcomes

The project successfully trained and engaged local volunteers, increasing knowledge of beaver ecology, biodiversity monitoring and citizen science techniques. Participants developed practical conservation skills while gaining a deeper connection with the rivers, wildlife and landscapes of Bodmin Moor and the wider Fowey catchment.

The monitoring activities generated important baseline ecological data, helping Cornwall Wildlife Trust and its partners better understand species diversity and habitat condition across the catchment. This information will continue to support evidence-led conservation and beaver monitoring in future years.

The commissioned film provided an accessible and engaging way to share the project’s achievements with communities, stakeholders and the wider public. By documenting volunteer experiences and showcasing the environmental benefits already being observed, the film helped raise awareness of how beaver reintroduction is supporting nature recovery and strengthening ecosystem resilience within the Fowey river catchment.

Conclusion

The Beaver Reintroduction: Biodiversity Monitoring Project successfully combined community engagement, wildlife monitoring and public awareness to support nature recovery across the Fowey catchment on Bodmin Moor. Through volunteer training, ecological surveys and the production of a dedicated film, the project created both valuable scientific evidence and a lasting community legacy.

By funding the creation of the wildlife monitoring film, the project ensured that the stories, experiences and lessons learned could reach a wider audience, helping to demonstrate how beaver reintroduction is benefiting local habitats, wildlife and watercourses. The project has laid strong foundations for ongoing monitoring and conservation work, while inspiring more people to become involved in protecting and enhancing the natural environment of the Fowey catchment.