Last week, University Centre Weston was delighted to welcome a guest speaker from the Beaver Trust to deliver an engaging and informative lecture for our Year 2 and Year 3 BSc Animal Management students. Beaver Trust is a dedicated UK charity focused on restoring beaver populations and promoting the vital role these remarkable animals play in healthy ecosystems.
The session provided students with an in-depth look at beaver anatomy, physiology, and behaviour, offering valuable insight into how these natural ecosystem engineers shape and restore habitats. By exploring the ways beavers create and maintain wetlands, the lecture highlighted their importance in enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality, and supporting climate resilience.
This guest talk aligned perfectly with the conservation-focused modules within our degree programme, strengthening students’ theoretical knowledge with real-world examples of species reintroduction and habitat restoration. In addition to the scientific content, the session also shed light on career pathways in conservation, emphasising the significance of education, public outreach, and community involvement when working to protect species and ecosystems.
We extend our thanks to the Beaver Trust for an inspiring and thought-provoking session that broadened our students’ understanding of conservation in action.
