After near extinction and years of conservation efforts across the UK, the government announced earlier this year that beavers are finally being released back into the wild! Though to the beavers along the River Otter in East Devon, this is old news. Since they were first spotted in 2013, they have made a successful return across the catchment. The River Otter beaver Trial led by Devon Wildlife Trust was the first wild licenced beaver reintroduction project in England.

Alan Puttock from the University of Exeter guides a stroll along the famous River Otter to search for signs of beavers. Hear about Alan’s research on nature-based solutions, landscape restoration and the key role beavers play in preserving biodiversity, improving water quality, and reducing drought and flooding.


This walk was funded by Devon Community Foundation.

ALAN PUTTOCK
Geography
University of Exeter

Alan Puttock is an environmental scientist and ecohydrologist. In his research, he takes on an interdisciplinary approach to investigate  nature-based solutions and landscape restoration. His current work focuses on natural flood management solutions to create more resilient landscapes as well as maximising the benefits linked to landscape restoration. Alan is a lecturer in Nature-based Solutions at  The Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW). CREWW conducts research into some of the most pressing environmental challenges in our time – namely how we can manage our precious natural resources in ways which are sustainable, innovative and resilient. https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/22145-alan-puttock/about.

Alan Puttock | Beavers on the River Otter

Agile Rabbit (www.agile-rabbit.com) is a platform that provides special events for the South-West and beyond to focus on ideas, global affairs and the natural and scientific world. The events are set in contrasting venues across the South-West to provide quirky experiences, which welcome conversation. 

There is a monthly talk and discussion at Exeter Phoenix, and other special events elsewhere including IntoBodmin and Marine Theatre Lyme Regis. The events include panel discussions, debates, film screenings, and performances. This diversity of experiences sets the tone of Agile Rabbit as inclusive, emphasising our key theme: That cutting edge thinking can be at the centre of everyday life.

Origin
Lapin Agile is a cabaret in Montmartre, Paris. At the turn of the twentieth century artists, thinkers, and scientists would gather to discuss ideas and socialise.