Our latest talk is now available on YouTube, the topic of this event was Water Voles and Beavers.
The water vole was once common in our waterways but is now Britain’s fastest declining mammal. Beavers were originally hunted to extinction in the UK around 500 years ago but are slowly being reintroduced this century. Both mammals contribute greatly to river ecosystems. Maybe you have heard the term ‘ecosystem engineers’ or are intrigued by their role in the landscape and are keen to know more?
Elliot Newton is a passionate and knowledgeable speaker who will bring the world of water voles and beavers to life, and shed light on the history or our relationship with these animals, their environmental significance .
Elliot is the Biodiversity Officer for Kingston Council in London, prior to which he co-founded Citizen Zoo, a rewilding organisation that puts the community at the heart of its projects, empowering local people to become integral parts of conservation programmes including species reintroductions.
His talk will use examples of two Citizen Zoo projects in London, including the reintroduction of water voles to the Hogsmill river which is the first example of community lead water vole reintroduction within the urban context. Secondly the talk will delve into the world of the beaver, and discuss whether there may be a role for them within urban waterways. There will be an opportunity for a Q&A with Elliot.
The talks will be hosted by Friends of Marden Valley with Chair Ian Thorn.
This is a free, online event organised by Friends of the Marden Valley and Avon Needs Trees.
To find out more about Citizen Zoo visit: https://www.citizenzoo.org/