Rewilding projects exploring returning European elk, bison and beaver to Britain with robust ecological planning and community involvement have been awarded funding to bring their vision a step closer to reality.

Charity Rewilding Britain is awarding up to £15,000 to multiple rewilding initiatives in the latest round of the Rewilding Innovation Fund, a twice-yearly fund supporting innovative rewilding efforts. 

Among the 13 projects awarded funding early this year, several are exploring returning lost keystone species like bison, beaver and European elk to projects in Britain to boost rewilding efforts and accelerate ecosystem recovery. 

Rebecca Wrigley, Chief Executive of Rewilding Britain, said: “Keystone species like elk, bison and beaver play a vital role in bringing nature back to life. They help repair ecosystems and shape wild places in ways that benefit wildlife, people and the climate. 

“Successfully reintroducing missing species like these is absolutely crucial. It’s a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments, and community consultations. By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone.”

Funding is being awarded from Rewilding Britain to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts for a joint project exploring bringing back elk to Britain. The two neighbouring Wildlife Trust are delighted to be able to work together on this project.

European elk, the species Alces alces known as moose in North America, are woodland foragers and wetland grazers. Like beavers, they are major ecosystem engineers and have a profound impact on their environment. Their grazing helps promote natural regeneration of woodland, and together with their trampling helps maintain open clearings. Given their fondness for moist vegetation, they can often be found in freshwater wetlands, a habitat also frequented by beavers. 

Though beavers have now begun to make a comeback to Britain through several successful reintroductions, the UK currently has no wetland habitats containing both beaver and elk. This project by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts is hoping to change that and is working towards the possibility of reintroducing elk into two existing beaver enclosures in the counties at Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts Willington Wetlands and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts Idle Valley Nature Reserve, bringing these two keystone species together for the first time in 3000 years in the UK.

Rachel Bennett, Deputy Director of Wilder Landscapes and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This exciting project could demonstrate how this crucial ecosystem engineer can thrive in floodplain landscapes, shaping diverse habitats that benefit communities and support biodiversity recovery. It may also serve as a catalyst for engaging people in the long-term benefits of returning elk to the wild.”