Bringing Back the Beaver: The Story of One Man’s Quest to Rewild Britain’s Waterways

“Bringing Back the Beaver” is Derek Gow’s engaging firsthand narrative, blending inspiration with humor, documenting the audacious movement to reintroduce beavers into the British landscape—a bold act of conservation defiance. Despite formidable opposition from government, landowners, and some conservationists, Gow has tirelessly imported, quarantined, and facilitated the reestablishment of beavers in waterways across England and Scotland since the early 1990s.

Beyond chronicling the trials and triumphs of reintroducing beavers, this book passionately argues for the vital role of these nature’s engineers in addressing flooding and future droughts sustainably. It advocates for the creation of diverse habitats that foster the flourishing of Britain’s wildlife in its broadest spectrum.