Highland beaver rewildiing generating ‘great deal of excitement’, says SNP MSP Emma Roddick after visits to South Clunes Farm and Abriachan Forest Trust sites
Rewilding efforts to bring back the beaver to parts of the Highlands have been praised by a local MSP following visits to see the work in action.
Emma Roddick, who is an SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, was speaking after visiting two sites - South Clunes Farm and Abriachan Forest Trust, which are both members of the Northwoods Rewilding Network. The visits were organised by the Scottish Rewilding Alliance.
South Clunes Farm has welcomed beavers since 2008, and Ms Roddick saw how the beavers have transformed the landscape by creating new wetlands and increasing biodiversity.
At Abriachan Forest Trust, a community-owned forest exploring a beaver translocation, the MSP heard about local enthusiasm for the project, as well as the challenges communities face when working to reintroduce beavers.
Ms Roddick has highlighted the benefits that a managed beaver population can bring to the Highlands.
She said: “It was fantastic to visit South Clunes Farm and see first-hand the incredible work beavers have done there. The transformation of the landscape, with new wetlands and a boost in biodiversity, is remarkable, and I loved hearing how their presence has encouraged all sorts of rare birds to visit.
“It shows just how much these ecosystem engineers can contribute when managed well and introduced in the right place.
“I also really enjoyed visiting Abriachan Forest Trust and hearing about the strong local support for beaver reintroduction. We discussed places that beavers may not be welcome, but here, it’s clear there’s a great deal of excitement about the potential benefits these animals can bring to our natural environment in the Highlands and Islands, from the adults as well as the bairns.
“With three-quarters of Scottish people backing further beaver reintroductions, it’s vital that we continue to explore how beavers can help Scotland achieve its nature and climate goals, particularly here in the Highlands where their impact can be so significant.”