Meonside Beavers for Nature Project
The aim of the Meonside Beavers for Nature Project is to reintroduce beavers to Oxenbourne Stream (a tributary of the river Meon) running through Wilson Atkinson Farm to restore the waterways and enhance the local ecosystem.
Chalk rivers are an important but rare habitat and the Meon is one of only around 200 in the world. The proposed area contains an old duck pond and dense scrub, and the stream is under-utilised but the unique combination of geology and climate from the chalk aquifer make chalk streams like this rich habitats for wildlife. With gravel supporting riverfly and clear water offering ideal conditions for a diverse community of river plants, chalk streams also provide us with good quality drinking water and recreation, like angling and riverside walks.
Beavers are ‘ecosystem engineers’ and with their help, this site has the potential to be a haven for many species of birds, mammals, invertebrates and amphibians.
The beavers will create a whole new ecosystem which will benefit many species and increase biodiversity in the area.
Will Atkinson, Wilson Atkinson Farm
HOW WILL IT WORK?
Working in collaboration with the Beaver Trust and the South Downs National Park Authority, fencing will be installed to create a perimeter enclosure round the 2.19ha site. The type of fencing is specifically engineered for keeping beavers in. The Beaver Trust will lead on the relocation of a beaver family group from Scotland, which will come from a site where the animals would otherwise be culled. This could be a group of between two and six beavers.
Do you have any skills that may be useful in supporting this project? Please get in touch: info@southdowns.gov.uk