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21 November 2026

Nature's engineers: what beavers can teach us about design

Discover how beavers returned to Norfolk after 400 years and are reshaping rivers, landscapes and nature.

In 2021, Norfolk Rivers Trust worked with The Beaver Trust to bring a pair of beavers from Scotland into a purpose-built enclosure in Norfolk – the return of a species missing from our landscape for over 400 years.

This talk traces the history of beavers in Britain, weighs up the challenges and benefits of reintroducing a native species into a modern landscape, and looks at what these beavers have taught us about shaping rivers the way nature intended – slowing water down, carving new channels, and bringing life back to the banks.

This talk will be taking place in ‘The Crypt’ at St Andrews Hall as part of the Wild by Design event . Please arrive 15 minutes before the talk begins and speak to someone at the entrance.

Centenary Supporter tickets

For this event we’ve included a Centenary Supporter ticket for anyone who’d like to give a bit extra to support Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s work protecting wildlife and wild places, while enjoying Wild by Design.

Standard Tickets (Members / Non-Members)

If you’re able to pay and would like to support our work, we’d really appreciate a contribution towards keeping these events accessible for everyone.

Your ticket helps us cover basic costs and continue offering community tickets at this and future events. Ticket income helps support Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s work protecting wildlife and wild places across the county as we celebrate our centenary year.

Community Tickets

We want everyone to feel welcome at Wild by Design.

We have a limited number of community tickets available for anyone where cost would be a barrier to booking a ticket. No questions asked – just come and enjoy the day.