Capel Manor College is currently working on the expansion project at Forty Hall Farm

Capel Manor College students at Enfield's beaver enclosure (credit Capel Manor College) — Capel Manor College students at Enfield’s beaver enclosure (credit Capel Manor College)

Staff, students and volunteers joined forces to plant 800 tree saplings this week at Enfield’s beaver enclosure.

Capel Manor College, which manages the Forty Hall Farm woodland site in partnership with Enfield Council, organised a tree-planting day that saw species including willow, aspen, hazel, alder, osier, silver birch and green beech planted to help enhance the habitat for the resident beaver family.

Since the reintroduction of beavers to Enfield – a first for London – in 2022, Capel Manor College has played a crucial role in their care and welfare. As custodians of the enclosure, the college’s staff and students actively monitor and support the semi-aquatic mammals, which contribute to natural flood management and ecosystem restoration.

The beaver enclosure is currently being expanded, to help provide more space for the now seven-strong family.

During the tree-planting event, volunteers planted saplings across a 1,500 square metre area, providing an essential food source and improving the environment for the beavers and other wildlife.

“This project is a testament to the power of community involvement in conservation,” said Paul Grainger, farm technician at Capel Manor College and Forty Hall Farm. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, demonstrating their commitment to wildlife and habitat restoration.”

Volunteers planting trees in the beaver enclosure (credit Capel Manor College)

The enclosure expansion, announced last year, is part of Capel Manor College’s broader commitment to conservation education and habitat restoration. Made possible through a partnership with Enfield Council plus a £50,000 grant from City Hall’s Rewild London Fund, the project includes enhancements such as water quality monitoring, public viewing platforms and educational initiatives, with further developments to be announced in the coming months.

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