Events

The Beaver Believers is the urgent yet whimsical story of an unlikely cadre of activists who share a common vision: restoring the North American Beaver, that most industrious, ingenious, bucktoothed engineer, to the watersheds of the arid West. The Beaver Believers encourage us to embrace a new paradigm for managing our western lands, one that seeks to partner with the natural world rather than overpower it. As a keystone species, beaver enrich their ecosystems, creating the complexity and resiliency our watersheds need to absorb the impacts of climate change. Beavers can show us the way and even do much of the work for us, if only we can find the humility to trust in the restorative power of nature and our own ability to play a positive role within it. 

Join us for an evening of screenings all about beavers, our favourite furry engineers, and their key role in rewilding and land restoration efforts in the UK!

Heal the Land - 25min
Directed by Tom Francome and Hayley Smith
Filmed exclusively on site at Heal Somerset, this 25-minute documentary explores how Heal Rewilding is embarking on an ambitious mission to transform a former, unproductive livestock farm into a resilient haven for wildlife recovery. As the charity enters its second year on the farm in 2024, the film charts its dramatic challenges, makes remarkable discoveries and camera traps reveal some astounding new species arrivals, demonstrating that when you give nature space, it really can begin to bounce back. With England languishing in the bottom 3% of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth, the challenge to restore its biodiversity and kickstart nature recovery has never been more urgent. This film offers hope for the positive change the rewilding movement can bring.

Balancing the Scales - 28min
Directed by by Nina Constable
Made by the Beaver Trust
Balancing the Scales is a powerful, visually stunning documentary that captures hope amid environmental uncertainty. Through candid interviews with leading experts, this film unpacks the intricate relationship between beavers and migratory fish – revealing the opportunities beavers create and the unique challenges they introduce in our modern landscapes. Join this journey of discovery to find a balance between realising the ecological benefits of beaver activity and protecting and preserving endangered migratory fish populations.

After the screening, we will be joined virtually by Daniel Hill, Rewilding Ranger at Heal Somerset. 
Daniel manages the site’s monitoring and land management programs. You can find him surveying for signs of beavers, co-ordinating volunteer work parties, or working with partners to deliver the hydrological restoration plan, amongst a huge variety of other tasks. Dan’s passion for nature was sparked as a child growing up on an organic small holding in rural south Wales watching red kites soar above. His love of rewilding developed through volunteering with the RSPB on the Somerset Levels after completing a degree in Mathematical Sciences.

Join us for a double screening about lands rights and off-grid living in Devon! 


Dartmoor Calling - 42min
Directed by Charlotte Bill
Who saved Dartmoor? Dartmoor Calling tells the stories of the activists who saved Dartmoor from development in the 1950s, the activists who campaign for and defend land access rights, and the people trying to restore nature on Dartmoor.