In 2019, a pair of Eurasian beavers headed to their new home at Spains Estate Hall in Finchingfield, Essex, as part of a pioneering flood management project. Acting as nature’s engineers, the beavers’ dams have played a crucial role in reducing flood risk in the area by slowing down the river flow and channelling it through new channels and wetlands.

Now, the Essex Beavers are preparing to welcome new neighbours that will help protect an additional stretch of Finchingfield Brook.  

 

Occupying two new 50-acre enclosures, the new arrivals will extend the amazing work of their cousins, who have already transformed a woodland into a thriving wetland. The unprecedented £350,000 scale-up is jointly supported by Anglian Water, the Environment Agency, the Anglian Eastern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC), Essex County Council and Essex and Suffolk Water in an innovative partnership funding approach.

 

Dr Robin Price, Director of Environment and Assurance

Restoring natural habitat in such a purposeful way is also at the heart of Anglian Water’s Get River Positive commitment and we are proud to be supporting the next stage of Archie’s vision for Spains Hall Estate.
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The Essex beavers have finally arrived at Spains Hall Estate!

Find out more about the project here.