VolunteerFAQs

…What will the next steps be for SSRS support in the south of Scotland, long-term? SSRS efforts in South Scotland throughout the DCA and Transition phase helped to develop and evidence the efficacy of various techniques and protocols for coordinated grey squirrel management, mechanisms for data collection and interpretation, and the crucial importance of volunteer support and community engagement in […]

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Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels: the next steps in South Scotland

need for ongoing staff support for independent volunteer networks and the long-term requirement for professional grey squirrel control staff to cover areas inaccessible or otherwise not feasible to be successfully managed by volunteer effort alone. There is also recognition from SSRS partners that this support needs to be mainstreamed with reliable long-term funding and integrated with red squirrel conservation efforts… […]

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Faces Old and New at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…based in Balloch, Alexandria but works across the whole region. Felix is currently looking for more households to join our trap loan scheme in his region, and for grey control volunteers. Contact: fsanchezbishop@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk     Victoria Chanin: Project Officer for South East Scotland Victoria has been with the project since 2018, starting out as a Spring Survey volunteer, working within… […]

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Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…ears, feet and genitalia. The infected squirrel is very quickly unable to feed properly, and rapidly becomes unwell. Squirrelpox is usually lethal in red squirrels within about 15 days of infection. The virus is already established in south Scotland, and is spreading northwards. It is likely that it will eventually spread through grey squirrel populations further north into the Central… […]

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Q&A with Sarah Woodfin, Project Manager with Trees for Life’s Red Squirrel Reintroduction Project

in ecology and a masters in conservation biology and most of my work and interests have been with small mammal ecology and conservation. I have worked with a range of animals, from native mice and voles to species of rabbit found in south-east Asia. I began working with red squirrels in 2019 as a monitoring and control officer for the… […]

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News: Report details red squirrel conservation successes, with key recommendations for the iconic species’ long-term future in Scotland.

One year on from it’s five-year Developing Community Action project, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels detail key successes of red squirrel conservation work, and advise on essential actions needed to ensure long-term survival of the species in Scotland. The final report of the £2.46 + million funded project, titled Saving an icon: Final report from the Developing Community Action Phase of… […]

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Partners & Funders

…is also helping to ensure continued Government funding for red squirrel conservation. Visit website Forestry and Land Scotland Forestry and Land Scotland is the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests and land in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers… […]

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Speaking up for Red Squirrels in the Consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity

…most threatened by greys) is effective and necessary to prevent the extinction of the red squirrel in Scotland. The Biodiversity Strategy also includes a commitment to implement the Scottish Plan for INNS Prevention and Control, involving a “pipeline of strategic INNS projects to coordinate the control of priority INNS at scale.” I would like to see the grey squirrel recognised… […]

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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

In 2018 Peter was asked by SSRS to found the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland as the umbrella organisation run by volunteers for all the volunteers in the squirrel groups and networks (now 18 with around 350 members) in South Scotland. The Forum acts as a bridge with other red squirrel organisations in the UK, helping to keep the… […]

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North East Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating our volunteer Janice Drew as she moves on to pastures new!

…are 18 of these in South Scotland and 1 in Fife. They are always looking for volunteers to join and help with a variety of roles, including grey squirrel monitoring and control. Get in touch with your local group here: https://bit.ly/3OoRt9S We are currently specifically advertising for volunteer grey squirrel dispatchers for the Annandale, Castle Douglas and Solway Forest Red… […]

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This Year's Sightings