About the event

The purpose of this day will be to demonstrate how Beavers can change riparian habitats and to learn how to spot their activity patterns to enable monitoring. We will start with an introduction in the village hall followed by a visit to a long-established Beaver territory at Otterhead Nature Reserve. The day will also include background history on Beavers in the UK and a discussion about their future spread and management requirements.

All are welcome to attend, but the day will be particularly useful to communities who are looking at monitoring and tracking beaver activity in their own location.

The course leader, Matt Collis, is a professional ecologist, wildlife guide and Beaver tutor for the Field Studies Council. He has worked with Beavers for around a decade, including long-term monitoring of the River Otter population and has practical skills in Beaver capture, husbandry and translocation.

Through his company, Southwest Ecologists Ltd, Matt is involved in several active Beaver conservation projects on private estates, including both enclosed populations and free-release projects. His work often includes habitat assessment, monitoring and advising on the practical management of Beaver activity. He also runs Devon Wildlife Tours and regularly delivers guided events to see wild Beavers and teach people about their ecology.

The day will be supported by Somerset Wildlife Trust staff and by the Somerset Mammal Group who will be available to tell people more about how they can get involved with the wider activities of this specialist group.