In December over 100 SSRS volunteers, landowners and other supporters joined us online to celebrate the end of the project’s ‘Developing Community Action‘ phase. The two-day Knowledge Fair featured presentations and panel discussions on all that the project has achieved over the past five years. It was also an opportunity to learn more about the red squirrel conservation work happening across Scotland and beyond; and to look ahead to a future of working together to protect one of Scotland’s most iconic species.
All the presentations and Q&A sessions are now available to watch again on YouTube, including our fantastic film ‘The People Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, created by Keildih Ewan.
FRIDAY 3 DECEMBER
Session 1: Welcome to Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels
PROJECT FILM – The People Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels
The SSRS-Developing Community Action story – Dr Mel Tonkin, Project Manager
SSRS in the North East – Dr Emma Sheehy, Conservation Officer
SSRS in Argyll, the Trossachs & Stirlingshire – Mary-Anne Collis, Conservation Officer
SSRS in Tayside – Ann-Marie MacMaster, Conservation Officer
SSRS in South Scotland – Sarah Cooper, South East Community Engagement Officer
Session 2: Around the UK
Holding the Red Line in Northern England – Heinz Traut, Red Squirrels Northern England
Northern Ireland update – Katy Bell, Ulster Wildlife Trust
Red squirrel reintroductions in the north of Scotland – Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life
Session 3: Science and Research
Grey squirrel fertility control progress – Kay Haw, UK Squirrel Accord
Occupancy modelling of squirrel populations in Scotland – Dr Ewan McHenry, Woodland Trust
Mathematical modelling studies to inform red squirrel conservation – Dr Peter Lurz, University of Edinburgh
Spatial ecology of grey squirrels in an urban environment – Devin Fitzpatrick, University of the Highlands and Islands
Pine martens and squirrels – Dr Emma Sheehy, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels
SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER
Session 1: Celebrating Community Action
Grey squirrel control and the SSRS trap loan scheme – James Kennedy, SSRS Grey Squirrel Officer
Woodland management and the Forestry Grant Scheme – Colin Edwards, Scottish Forestry
Landowner Story: Argaty Red Kites – Mary-Anne Collis, SSRS Conservation Officer
Building a volunteer network in the south of Scotland – Dr Peter Garson, Gatehouse Squirrel Group and John Rae, Save our Squirrels Berwick Group
Session 2: Looking to the Future
Communicating the SSRS-DCA story – Gill Hatcher, SSRS Communications and Engagement Officer
The Community Hub legacy – Nicole Tipple, SSRS Data officer
Developing Community Action: lessons learned and future needs – Dr Mel Tonkin, SSRS Project Manager
