Dorset Wildlife Trust has launched a major fundraising campaign to reintroduce beavers to the wild.
The “Bring Beavers Back” appeal aims to fund a licensed project to establish free-living populations across Dorset.
Backed by The Big Give, donations made during the campaign will be matched, doubling public contributions.
Beavers were previously reintroduced to an enclosed site in west Dorset, where they have already transformed the environment.
The animals, often called “ecosystem engineers”, have created wetlands supporting species such as dragonflies, bats and kingfishers.
Their dams can also help reduce flooding and improve water resilience during dry periods.
The Trust says it now wants to expand the project across the wider landscape, allowing beavers to spread naturally.
A public consultation is under way, with residents invited to share their views as plans develop.
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