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The Human Beaver Project: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience

Introduction

Our landscapes are facing new challenges: wetter winters, drier summers, and increased flood risk and loss of our finite resource topsoil through run off.  Traditional hard-engineering solutions often come at a high cost and ecological impact and seem out of reach for a family-owned farm business.


Enter the Human Beaver Project, a pioneering initiative that combines regenerative farming, natural flood management (NFM), and community engagement to create a resilient future.


Now Natural Flood Management (NFM) mechanisms, if you’re not an expert already, chances are you’ve never heard the term before. But you’ve almost certainly heard of beavers.



These remarkable ecosystem engineers have been making headlines nationally with their reintroduction across the UK. That inspired us to think: what better way to start engaging our local community in nature-based solutions than by drawing on the beaver’s story? And so, the idea for our Community Human Beaver Project was born.



The Science Behind Trickle Dams and NFM

Natural Flood Management works with nature to slow water flow, reduce flood peaks, and improve water quality. Trickle dams, also called leaky dams, are simple structures made from woody debris placed across streams. They allow normal base flows to pass but slow down high flows during storms, reducing erosion and sediment transport.


According to the Wildlife Trusts’ NFM report, these features:

  • Reduce downstream flood risk by attenuating peak flows

  • Trap sediment and nutrients, improving water quality

  • Create habitats for aquatic and riparian species

  • Increase carbon storage through enhanced vegetation growth

This approach mimics the work of beavers, nature’s original engineers, hence the name “Human Beaver Project.”


Natural Flood Management: £10 of Benefits for Every £1 Invested

New research from The Wildlife Trusts, reveals that every £1 invested in Natural Flood Management (NFM) delivers £10 of benefits over 30 years. These benefits go far beyond flood risk reduction, they include improved habitats for wildlife, carbon storage, and health and wellbeing gains for communities.


NFM works by restoring natural processes: creating wetlands, building leaky dams, re-meandering rivers, and even reintroducing beavers. These interventions slow water flow, store water in the landscape, and reduce downstream flood damage. Flooding is the UK’s most expensive natural hazard, costing £2.2 billion annually, and is projected to rise by up to 49% by the 2050s. Investing in nature-based solutions now is critical for climate resilience.


But Why Are We Interested?

Well, it’s simple:

  • We’re tired of horseflies! Our team wants to attract positive fauna like dragonflies, which are natural predators of horseflies.

  • We need to hold more water on our land. Drought is becoming a real issue, and we want to be prepared for the future.

  • We don’t want to rely on mains water or boreholes. Sustainable water management is key to resilience.

  • We care about water quality. We don’t use insecticides or antibiotics, so we shouldn’t be blamed for pollution. We’re doing a good job—and we want to celebrate that.

  • We want to keep our soil where it belongs. If any soil is lost through runoff, we aim to capture it and return it to the land.

  • And the best part? We had an amazing time doing it. Friends, family, and our local community came together to roll up their sleeves, share laughs, and create something that truly matters. These trickle dams aren’t just about water management, they’re about connection. Every log placed and every dam built was a reminder that when we work together, we can make a real difference for nature and for each other.

 

Case Study: Presingoll Farm and The Grower

Presingoll Farm, a fifth-generation family farm near St Agnes, has embraced regenerative practices, cover crops, soil health improvement, and biodiversity enhancement.

In 2024 Presingoll Farm and The Grower took part in the Agr-Carbon Kernow Project which looked at three key themes Carbon, Biodiversity and Water across the farm portfolio. The aim was to summarise the current position of the business in these three areas and to make recommendations with the aim to help farm enterprises to meet Net Zero in their primary production.

The project aims to assets farm enterprises to baseline their current operations on the land they farm, as well as their carbon footprint and impact on water and the environment.


Key findings included:

  • High mains water costs 

  • Opportunities for rainwater harvesting from 890m² of roof area

  • Need for soil bunds in arable fields and leaky dams along the Mingoose Stream

The farm has previously implemented:

  • Tree planting and agroforestry

  • Widened field margins to slow runoff


Through the baselining accomplished during the Agri-carbon kernow project the team were able to develop phase 2 of the farm’s investment in its landscape assets, natural processes’ and climate adaption strategy through:

  • Creation of Leaky dams using locally sourced woody material


These actions not only reduce flood risk but also restore habitats and improve soil organic matter.

 

Community Engagement: Becoming a Human Beaver

We saw this as an opportunity to expand our community outreach programme to an activity which will have multiple beneficial impacts to the wider landscape including the Cornwall National Landscape whilst also reflecting our wider outreach aims to illustrate sustainable farming, re-engage the community with the farming process and provide access to nature. The project also helps us to meet our Pledge for Nature with the Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Local Nature Partnership, restoring and creating new habitats in an existing lowland farm landscape.

Leaky dams are a form of Natural Flood Management (NFM). Barriers made of natural woody materials are laid within water channels and allow normal base flows of water to pass through. When flood flows are higher they create an obstruction to reduce flow. Leaky dams do not have to be solid wooden baffles, just logs or brash across the flow and fixed in place to stop them moving.

 

The project offered hands-on CPD days for the local community, colleges, and corporate teams. Activities include:

  • Farm tours and ecology talks

  • Building trickle dams using natural materials

  • Creating insect hotels as take-home mementos


These sessions supported fostering teamwork, environmental awareness, and practical skills for green careers. They also reconnect people with nature—a vital antidote to modern stress.


Reviews:

“This is the best team day we've ever done”
“I can’t wait to see it working”
“Such a good activity with links to careers I hadn’t considered”


Mental Health Benefits

There is growing evidence that spending time outdoors and connecting with nature has profound benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. Immersing yourself in natural environments can:

·       Lift your mood and boost overall happiness

·       Reduce stress and anger, helping you feel calmer

·       Encourage relaxation and provide time to reset

·       Improve physical health through gentle activity

·       Build confidence and self-esteem

·       Increase activity levels, supporting a healthier lifestyle

·       Create opportunities to meet new people

·       Strengthen ties to your local community

·       Combat loneliness and foster social connection

·       Deepen your connection to nature

·       Offer peer support in shared experiences


A large part of Inez’s work beyond the farm has focused on researching and piloting ways to connect people with nature and conserve our environment. From contributing to the UK Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan, to shaping local and regional policies, pioneering social prescribing research, and developing practical delivery models, Inez has worked at every level. On the ground, she has created spaces designed to benefit community mental health.


When you join us for a Human Beaver Project day, our community not only learnt how these nature-based features help the environment they also experience firsthand how activities like this can boost wellbeing for you and your team.


Thank You

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the Human Beaver Project possible:

  • Cornwall National Landscape team 

  • Truro and Penwith College

  • Our incredible volunteers 

  • Becky, Truro and Penwith College

  • Connor, Cornwall Wildlife Trust

  • Mark, CIEEM 

  • Canteen – for keeping us fuelled with delicious food.

  • Cornhill Farm for allowing us to borrow their amazing farm tour trailer!


Together, we’ve not only built trickle dams but also strengthened connections. Thank you for being part of this journey!


Get Involved

Want to become a human beaver? Here’s how:

  • Join a CPD day at Presingoll Farm

  • Partner with The Grower for corporate team-building events

  • Build your own Natural Flood Management system

  • Support NFM projects through donations or volunteering


For more information, visit:

 

 

 
 
 

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