THE National Trust is being supported by a racing series organisation in an effort to reintroduce beavers into the Purbeck heathlands.

In 2022, the National Trust is hoping to reintroduce beavers to Purbeck, in the wetlands at the heart of the Studland’s dune system.

They are being aided in this venture by Extreme E as part of its Jurassic X Prix Legacy Programme which aims to improve biodiversity in the UK.

Spanning 8,231 acres, the Purbeck Heaths in Dorset brings together 11 essential wildlife habitats and forms part of the UK’s first ‘super’ National Nature Reserve.

David Brown, the National Trust’s landscape partnership manager, said: “Next year we hope to release three pairs of beavers in the wetlands around Little Sea to improve the biodiversity of Studland’s dune system and the surrounding area.

Bournemouth Echo: Studland marsh wet woodland within the dune system. Picture: National Trust Images & John MillerStudland marsh wet woodland within the dune system. Picture: National Trust Images & John Miller

“Beavers are nature’s water engineers. Once introduced they would open hundreds of hectares of wetlands that have been in ecological decline for decades, restoring freshwater fen and pool habitats for other wildlife. As they naturalise watercourses that have been canalised over the centuries, they would improve water quality and carbon storage while reducing flood risk.”

Extreme E founder and CEO Alejandro Agag said: “We are delighted that our work in Dorset will see us support the National Trust, who are planning to reintroduce beavers to the area.

“I’m excited to see what we can achieve alongside an organisation with such high standards of conservation and curatorial care which has been recognised throughout the world.”