This afternoon, our school magazine editorial team visited Woodland Valley Farm near Ladock. This is the home of the Cornwall Beaver Project, where beavers are being reintroduced after becoming extinct in the UK 400 years ago. Pupils were guided by Chris Jones, the farmer, who has lived in this idyllic valley his whole life. They found how he was inspired to trial the concept by the severe flooding that hit Ladock in the early 2000s.
Alongside water flow management, the introduction of beavers has had a massive impact on the biodiversity of the area, as pupils witnessed as damselflies and dragonflies flitted across the newly formed ponds. They were amazed at the size of some of the trees felled by beavers gnawing through the base, and just how high the dams the beavers had built were. They were surprised to hear that trees could also be protected by simply brushing PVA glue and sand onto the bark.
This was a fantastic opportunity which gave pupils a sense of place by highlighting the fabulous work being done in Cornwall to protect natural habitats for future generations.
Alongside water flow management, the introduction of beavers has had a massive impact on the biodiversity of the area, as pupils witnessed as damselflies and dragonflies flitted across the newly formed ponds. They were amazed at the size of some of the trees felled by beavers gnawing through the base, and just how high the dams the beavers had built were. They were surprised to hear that trees could also be protected by simply brushing PVA glue and sand onto the bark.
This was a fantastic opportunity which gave pupils a sense of place by highlighting the fabulous work being done in Cornwall to protect natural habitats for future generations.
