Beavers will naturally clear the plants as they build their dams and lodges, rewetting the peat and keeping the bog healthy. This is vital because dry peat releases carbon – and we want to keep that locked safely in the ground.Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Will you back beavers and help save a rare wild place?
Make a donation to safeguard the future of wildlife at an internationally important Staffordshire bog.
Help bring beavers to Craddocks Moss (https://youtu.be/RNW6zRCen5Y)
Video made with footage by Russell Savoury, Mike Symes/Devon Wildlife Trust and Ian Eardley
We’ve got a wild idea – and we need your help to make it happen.
A family of beavers is waiting in the wings, ready to move into a degraded peat bog near Newcastle-under-Lyme. But they need a little help from you to get there. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) are raising funds to release these brilliant creatures so they can put their expert skills to work restoring the bog, creating a haven for wildlife while also protecting the planet by locking in carbon.
Why beavers? Because they’re nature’s superheroes. These furry, flat-tailed wonders will help bring balance back to this fragile habitat. And in this case, they’ll be doing something even more special.
Right now, this lowland bog is under threat. Since SWT brought Craddocks Moss in 2019, saplings and brambles have crept in, drying out the peat and releasing carbon into the atmosphere. The deep pools of water make this a treacherous and difficult place for volunteers and staff to work. Beavers won’t have any issues here and can help stop the bog from being lost.
Craddocks Moss is being taken over by saplings, which are drying out the peat.
An aerial photo showing how Craddocks Moss should look - wet! Beavers will help restore it to a wet bog once again. Photo by Ben Wiles.
Jeff Sim, Head of Nature Reserves and Species Recovery, said: “Beavers are master munchers – they'll quickly curb the spread of saplings and brambles which are threatening to engulf and dry out this bog. We dream of making this place wetter and wilder, but we can’t do it alone.
“Beavers will naturally clear the plants as they build their dams and lodges, rewetting the peat and keeping the bog healthy. This is vital because dry peat releases carbon – and we want to keep that locked safely in the ground.”
This isn’t just about beavers. It’s about climate, biodiversity, and giving nature a helping hand. The presence of beavers elsewhere has boosted other wildlife numbers significantly – it’s hoped their introduction will see more bats, dragonflies and birds thriving here in years to come.
“Peat bogs are one of the UK’s most important carbon sinks and restoring them is a powerful way to tackle climate change. With your support, we can make this project a reality.”
Before the beavers are introduced, SWT needs to create an enclosure around the 47 acre site (the size of 26 football pitches), footpaths and a viewing platform for the public. This work, equipment and ongoing monitoring will cost £175,000, of which £25,000 is left to raise.
"We need to raise £25,000 by Christmas, so we can carry out all the work needed before we release the beavers next spring. Every donation – big or small – brings us one step closer to welcoming these amazing creatures to Craddocks Moss.
“So, if you love wildlife, care about the climate, or just want to be part of something hopeful and exciting, please chip in. Together, we can make a real difference,” Jeff added.
Let’s build a wilder, wetter, and more wonderful future – one dam at a time.
A beaver swimming through water covered in leaves