NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) Landesverband Thüringen e. V.

Beavers are among the strictly protected species. Their presence has an important effect on water ecosystems since species-rich and structurally rich habitats begin to originate wherever beavers settle. Since 2007, the beaver has become native again to Thuringia. The beaver population has constantly been growing ever since, and gradually the rodents have populated more and more waters in the Free State.

In addition to the delight concerning the newly emerging biodiversity, the spreading beaver population also harbours an immense potential for conflict. Land users, property owners, river maintenance managers, and public agencies have to face considerable problems to some extent due to the beavers’ enormous creative power, which is demonstrated by felling, digging and damming activities.

Therefore, NABU Thuringia has been advising those affected by beaver conflicts, conducting preventative measures, and has been training so-called beaver advisors since the beavers’ return to the Free State. The project thus builds on previous ENL projects.

Apart from coordinated species conservation-based advisory activities, the project focuses on continuing the beaver advisor training, in particular, next to supervision, networking, and further training of beaver advisors. In addition, the softwood floodplain species are to be planted along watercourses, and preventative measures are to be instructed and carried out. Moreover, fact-related public relations work on beavers is also part of the project.