Government Grant Supports Conservation of Beavers, Butterflies, and Birds in Kent
Kent is home to the largest population of reintroduced beavers in England.
Beavers, endangered butterflies, and birds will benefit from a £1.28 million government grant awarded to the Kent Wildlife Trust. This funding comes through Natural England's Species Recovery Programme and is supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The grant will be allocated to projects along the River Stour, where Kent hosts England's largest population of wild beavers, and in the ancient woodland of the Blean, near Canterbury.
The Kent Wildlife Trust emphasized that this award highlights the county's significance in the conservation of endangered wildlife.
Paul Hadaway, director of conservation and engagement, said: "It gives us the opportunity to strengthen our nationally important beaver population, deepen our understanding of some of England's least known woodland invertebrates, and create the conditions for them to recover and thrive.
"The knowledge we gain here in Kent won't just benefit local wildlife - it will help shape species recovery across England."
The biodiversity of the beaver population will be enhanced by releasing additional animals, while the Trust collaborates with landowners to restore the habitats of these creatures.
A survey of the Blean woodland will focus on six endangered species found there, including the heath fritillary butterfly, one of the UK's rarest butterflies, and the turtle dove.
The heath fritilliary, one of the UK's rarest butterflies, is found in ancient woodland near Canterbury
Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, stated:
"Through the largest-ever investment in species recovery, we are backing projects across the country to protect threatened wildlife, restore habitats and secure the future of some of England's most iconic species."
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- Kent hosts hundreds of wild beavers, survey finds
- How beavers are reviving wetlands
- One of Britain's rarest butterflies has been saved from extinction
