Nature restoration form Nattergel has launched the world’s first beaver-created Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units following the release of a family of beavers into a 200-hectare area in Lincolnshire.

The introduction of beavers to the Boothby Wildlands watercourse has been facilitated by the Beaver Trust in a move that will reestablish natural processes in the area through slowing the flow of water and creating wetland habitats.

BNG units are currency used to measure the ecological value of land and are used by developers to meet their mandatory biodiversity commitments.

“The beaver reintroduction has been made possible by Nattergal’s blended finance model that includes private finance from the sale of natural capital units, such as through mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain,” said the Beaver Trust.

The charity’s head of restoration Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer added: “Our feasibility assessment showed that Boothby Wildland has the space, hydrology and long-term management commitment needed to support beavers successfully.

“Working with the Nattergal team and seeing that groundwork translate into this release is a great moment for this nature restoration project.”

Nattergal rewilding landscapes manager Lorienne Whittle added: “After much planning and preparation, we’re so excited to see the arrival of beavers at Boothby Wildland and cannot wait to track and share the impact of these fabulous ecosystem engineers.

“ We’re equally overwhelmed with the response from the local community – whether it’s local children creating beaver-inspired artwork, our volunteer taster session getting fully booked in a few days, the surge in interest in our Wildland tours or businesses getting in touch to enquire about our Biodiversity Net Gain units – it’s wonderful to see this support for Nature recovery in Lincolnshire.”

More information about Nattergal’s BNG units can be found here.

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