This February, Graf UK had the privilege of witnessing a historic moment for British wildlife conservation—the release of a family of beavers into the Wildlife Trust’s Nene Wetlands in Northamptonshire, the first time these remarkable ecosystem engineers have inhabited this region in over 400 years.
As proud sponsors of the trail cameras monitoring this groundbreaking project, we were invited to witness the release of the beaver family—two adults, two yearlings, and four kits—as they took their first cautious steps into their new wetland home, adjacent to the Rushden Lakes shopping centre.
“It was truly awe-inspiring to see these creatures return to waters they haven’t inhabited for centuries,” says Callum Vallance-Poole, who represented Graf UK at the release.
The beaver reintroduction isn’t just about wildlife conservation—it aligns perfectly with Graf UK’s commitment to sustainable water management. These industrious animals are natural water engineers, creating dams that slow water flow, reduce flooding risk, increase groundwater levels during droughts, and naturally filter pollutants.
Katie King-Hurst, Northants Communities and Wildlife Manager at The Wildlife Trust BCN, explained during the release that “beavers are a keystone species…they’re here to work for us.” Their natural dam-building and tree management will perform tasks that would otherwise require conservation teams with chainsaws, while simultaneously helping manage the increasing flood risks brought by climate change.
At Graf UK, we recognise the powerful synergy between our engineered water management solutions and nature’s own water engineers. Supporting initiatives like this beaver reintroduction project demonstrates our commitment to working with natural processes to create more resilient, sustainable water systems.
We’re excited to share updates from the trail cameras in the coming months, giving you a glimpse into the beavers’ new lives and the positive changes they’re bringing to the Nene Wetlands ecosystem.
To watch the trail camera footage of the beavers at the Wildlife Trust’s Nene Wetlands, subscribe to the GRAF LIFE newsletter for regular updates.
Posted by Callum Vallance-Poole, on May 14, 2025.