We know people can’t possibly stop killing beavers because it’s good for frogs, good for salmon. good for water, good for fire. I mean why should they? What’s in it for them? But this new angle could possibly work. Jesus Christ but it might possibly work!

Landowners to be paid to create ‘nature corridors’ alongside rivers as beaver habitat

Landowners could be paid to stop tending to riverbanks running through their property under Government plans to help rewild beavers across Britain. The move would prevent farmers from farming all the way up to the river’s edge, to help encourage trees and shrubs to grow as part of a “nature recovery network” spanning the length of the country.

The radical plan is the brainchild of Defra’s new Nature Champion, Ben Goldsmith, who has been discussing it with his minister brother Lord Goldsmith for years, The Sunday Telegraph understands.

The pair have been lobbying Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make the plan part of the new post-Brexit Environments Land Management Strategy, and he is understood to think it is a “great idea”. He will be asking farmers to do this as part of a raft of woodland creation policies.

Now THAT might make your average farmer think twice about ripping out that beaver dam and bringing his shot gun to the lodge. GREAT work Ben Goldsmith and your Lordy brother! Imagine those thanksgiving dinners listening to all that persuasion!

The Government has been working with the Beaver Trust to discuss how beavers could help “garden” the trees, and ensure they do not become overgrown.

Forestry Minister Lord Goldsmith said: “Encouraging trees to grow along England’s watercourses will offer numerous benefits for water quality, flood management, biodiversity and climate resilience – helping rivers to adapt to the changing climate

“That is why, through our upcoming action plan on trees and woodlands which will set out new steps to meet our commitments to tackle climate change and protect nature, we will be creating an ambitious new package of support for creating woodlands near rivers and waterways.”

The beaver trust rocks. Admit it. You think you’re group is saving beavers? The beaver trust will kick the snot out of any effort you feeble attempt and make your mother ashamed. They are the beaver bomb. Enough said.

Under the scheme, landowners will be given “significant” subsidies for allowing the space next to waterways to remain wild, senior government sources told The Telegraph. There are also plans being mooted to make this corridor scheme a condition of getting Environmental Land Management subsidies – which many farms would not be profitable without.

Beavers are understood to be part of the strategy, with this habitat being created with the aim of releasing the aquatic mammals into many river catchments to help with biodiversity. A recent government review found that beavers increase the amount of fish and invertebrates in river catchments and reduce flooding. The timing of beaver releases will be outlined in the upcoming National Beaver Strategy.

Oh my goodness. I want a National Beaver Strategy. I’d settle for a state beaver strategy. I better sit down. I’m feeling faint. Oh, wait. I am sitting down.

It is hoped these new woodlands will also improve conditions for aquatic life, and tackle climate change, as they provide shade and reduce summer water temperature for fish helping rivers adapt to climate change. It could also help slow the flow of and temporarily store water as part of Natural Flood Management, and prevent excessive riverbank erosion and collapse.

Just bend low with me now and say altogether. “We are not worthy”. The beaver Trust is the new god from which all good things flow. We could not be more impressed.

The government has been working with some of the country’s biggest environment organisations to implement this plan, including the National Trust, Rivers Trust and Woodland Trust. They will be building these corridors on their land, as well as encouraging neighbouring landowners to do the same.

James Wallace, the CEO of the Beaver Trust explained: “These four charities are keen to work with the government and we believe an alliance of organisations should be working together. We need industry, government and NGOS to collaborate to restore our rivers. We have taken that initiative and are coming together to create riparian corridors.

Oh my. Oh my goodness. I better put my head between my knees. I keep getting faint.THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT. THIS. THIS, THIS!!!

Wallace added: “Imagine what we could do by working together across sectors, boundaries and interests along England’s 240,000km of waterways to help rivers breathe life back into the land and the excitement we could create at COP26 to demonstrate leadership and action.”

You have all our adoration and respect and support Beaver Trust! Clearly this calls for a celebration. Beavers everywhere agree,

Wow. The Sunday before Christmas. Presents bought. Check. Presents wrapped. Presents under the tree. Check. Tree still alive. Check. Dried orange slice garlands on windows. Check. 72 butternut squash raviolis made. Check. 72 short rib raviolis made. Check. 72. Mushroom leek raviolis made. Check.

I think everything is on track!

It’s a good time to catch up with all the news I’ve been setting aside. I know some of you will be so full of eggnog, good cheer and family obligations that you won’t think about beavers again until 2020. But this should get everyone through the holidays.

BeaverCON_Social Media outreach

BeaverCon 2020 is offering three minority scholarships. (Enrollment only.) You still need to get yourself there and housed but its a great opportunity to share the beaver doxology with folks who might not otherwise hear it, Apply for the scholarship with this form: But do it before January 17th or it will be too late.

Attending the conference will be James Wallace of the UK and lots of the good folk from Beaver Trust. We had a truly dizzying conversation this week about all the excellent work they’re doing and who’ve they partnered with along the way. Honestly, they are starting out with a BANG and will make a huge difference for beavers in the UK and beavers generally. We also had a nice chat about the three E’s that come with this work: Exhausting Elbows and Egos that can sometimes make this work harder than it needs to be, and I was happy to provide some normalization and context.

I was so excited about some of their plans I practically had to take a nap after our conversation. Hopefully I told them some good things too. Because now I’m officially a “partner” of the project and listed on their alliance page. La!

**Heidi Perryman Worth a Dam**: Heidi started Worth A Dam to defend the beavers in her home town of Martinez CA, and then started helping other cities learn how and why to co-exist with these important animals. Since 2008 they have organised an annual beaver festival and maintained an internationally respected website. As California faces more drought years they believe it is more important than ever to coexist with these important ‘water savers’.

Welcome to team beaver, new friends!

And finally, to keep things interesting I put this together for the 2020 festival. Amy Hall was kind enough to say we were free to use her wonderful creation. Buckle up boys and girls, something tells me this is going to be one helluva year!