Could beavers one day set up home at Broxtowe nature reserve?

Beavers were reintroduced to Nottinghamshire in late 2021 for the first time in over 400 years, with eight Eurasian beavers, including four young, released into an enclosed section of Idle Valley Nature Reserve near Retford.

The species, once native and widespread in Britain, was hunted to extinction by the 16th century for its fur, meat, and scent glands.

With beavers now established in the north of the county, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust chief executive Paul Wilkinson suggests that residents could see them in other parts of the county over the next decade, potentially including Attenborough Nature Reserve in Broxtowe.

Wilkinson stated that the beavers at Idle Valley are thriving and now, with Government approval for wild reintroduction, the animals could naturally spread to new areas, such as along the River Trent, in the coming years.

And he expressed hopes that beavers can reclaim their place in the landscape, highlighting their historical presence before eradication.

In August 2026, the Wildlife Trust received significant Government funding to support projects including the recovery of water voles and the further reintroduction of wild beavers to Nottinghamshire within 18 months.

Wilkinson explained that the trust is in the process of appointing project officers who will work with stakeholders to identify suitable locations and source beavers, possibly from the Idle Valley population.

He indicated that while reintroduction will take time, with a year required to establish the project and a further two years for populations to settle, beavers could begin expanding into the wider landscape within the next 10 years.

Beavers must first establish themselves before spreading to new areas, but Mr Wilkinson remains hopeful they will be seen in more locations, including Attenborough.

He described beavers as effective at managing and engineering their environment.

Beavers are known as ‘ecosystem engineers’ for their ability to coppice trees, build dams, and create canal systems, resulting in dynamic wetlands that benefit a range of wildlife and plant species.

A Natural England spokesperson said reintroducing beavers could significantly aid nature recovery and that the organisation supports these efforts.