Phase 2 (the development phase) follows and builds on the work conducted during the feasibility phase (January 2019 – March 2020), to create a detailed and costed introduction and management plan for beaver by working with stakeholders to identify any necessary site-specific protection measures and wider support mechanisms, to maintain and continue to build community support for the project and to submit a licence application.

• Detailed and costed introduction plan for beaver
• Detailed and costed management plan for reducing and mitigating unwanted impacts on existing land-use
• Application to DEFRA submitted for a licence to reintroduce beaver
• Maintain and further develop meaningful local engagement in the project including landowners and farmers, local communities and relevant statutory bodies

The project outputs are divided into three sections:
Development of a detailed project proposal-Following a stakeholder consultation period (landowners, farmers and fisheries groups) data was collated and analysed and the results used to directly influence steering group decisions around the project scope and direction. This resulted in a widely approved phased project proposal with reintroduction plans initially at Little Sea catchment at Studland and later proceed to cover an area of the Purbeck Heaths NNR.
Develop a funding strategy-Funding secured through securing internal funds, external applications and private donations.
Stakeholder engagement- Consultation period was from July 2019-March 2020. Community engagement ongoing with talks, engagement opportunities and individual support made readily and regularly available. Participation plan and NT communications plan created and regularly updated.

• Consultation period over nine months; 60 landowners contacted,
• Presentations to 200 local residents and engaged with 7 local authorities
• Task Group of 20 partner organisations
• 84 Official Feedback forms returned
• 210 individuals signed up to mailing list
• 15 vulnerable sites assessed for protection
• NFU independent member opinion poll
• 30 Visitor Experience and engagement events delivered at Studland and other locations
• Interpretation panels developed with the NT Studland Visitor Experience team
• Participation plan – 4 volunteer roles created & coordinated: Nature champion, Citizen Science, Beaver management, Volunteer coordinator
• Educational materials and resources developed for schools, universities and community groups.
• Monitoring plans developed with partners and volunteers:
  Remote camera monitoring system trialled for beaver monitoring.
  Baseline data collected e.g. eDNA baseline data collected from the Little Sea catchment; Fisheries baseline data collected from the Corfe River;
  Riverfly monitoring ‘Taster Day’, recruitment & certified training with 6 new recording locations across Purbeck.
  Odonata ‘Taster Day’ & volunteer recruitment, 2 Pilot boat surveys, methodology developed ready for 2022 recording season.
  Amphibian volunteer recruitment, induction & baseline recording.

Having the opportunity to deliver a ‘development phase’ has allowed for a detailed picture of the landscape to be established, highlighting features, infrastructure and property which may be affected by a beaver reintroduction, and how they can be managed effectively. This is especially important to inform both local and national decisions at this crucial time in beaver policy development.
The combination of an initial stakeholder consultation, with an ongoing presence in the community and continued engagement and awareness opportunities, has allowed local residents time to acclimatise to the possibility of beavers, and to address any direct concerns that have arisen.
Encouraging participation from the community during this ‘development phase’ has helped to build capacity for spreading awareness and for monitoring future impacts. This pre-emptive strategy towards building knowledge and support for their activities prior to their arrival has been successful and is recommended.
A project such as this would be easier to plan and achieve to time following release of government policy, as all conversations with stakeholders could be had with less uncertainty along the way, and potentially agreements could be reached more quickly. However, panels should support projects like this one, as it allows for real progress to be made in a politically fluid situation and to therefore be at the forefront of making change happen for nature recovery.
The planned subsequent delivery of this reintroduction project aims to lead the way in wild beaver reintroductions because of all the preparatory work that has taken place within this development project.

For further information please visit The National Trust information page  on beaver re-introduction