After two beavers were released at Ewhurst Park on January 16, prizes have been presented to the schools which named them 'Hazel' and 'Chompy'.

On March 22 both the winning schools visited Ewhurst Park for an outdoor education day and were presented with their winning certificates and prizes, presented by the Malaysian High Commissioner to London His Excellency Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, environmentalist Mandy Lieu and Rob West, Farming in Protected Landscapes officer at the North Wessex Downs AONB.

The winning schoolchildren from Whitchurch Church of England Primary School and Mount Pleasant Junior School visited the beaver enclosure and enjoy a talk by The Beaver Trust as well as a coppicing demonstration, and a Willow and Hazel Tree planting session. The schools were given hazel trees to plant in their playground nature garden.

READ MORE: Beavers return to Hampshire for first time in 400 years

Mandy Lieu of Ewhurst Park said: “It has been a very rewarding journey learning about what beavers need, how they will impact the environment around them and the benefits that they will bring to other animals and plants. As a 'keystone species' they play an important role in increasing biodiversity.

"I’m so grateful to my friends and neighbours and in particular local children, who are on this journey with me. It makes perfect sense that the naming should be done by local schoolchildren.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

The Malaysian High Commissioner commented: "The work Mandy Lieu and her team are undertaking at Ewhurst Park represents our belief that the true test of regeneration and sustainability is bringing ideas that appear abstract to reality. I'm honoured to be present to support our fellow Malaysian Mandy and to give the prizes to a group of young people who, in my opinion, will lead the next generation of environmentalists."

READ MORE: Business relocates all of its staff out of Basingstoke office

Rob West said: “The beavers being released at Ewhurst Park will be the first seen in the North Wessex Downs for hundreds of years. 

"The North Wessex Downs AONB Partnership is delighted to be supporting the team at Ewhurst Park. It is fantastic to have so many schools across Hampshire engaged with this project through the Beaver Naming competition."

Deputy director of engagement at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Becky Fisher, said: “Engaging young people is crucial if we want the next generation to develop an interest in nature. We work with lots of schools across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and were so excited to invite those involved in our Wilder Schools programme to find a name for the two beavers being introduced at Ewhurst Park."