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

…skills, experiences, and advice. Examples include help with bank accounts, running of and materials for events and engagement activities, and assistance with fundraising. Please refer to the Forum ‘Offers and Needs’ chart in the first instance, available on the Hub Volunteer Communications Group (coming very soon: accessible only to volunteer network admins and sightings verifiers).   What support will be… […]

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VolunteerFAQs

…• 3 elected office bearers – Chair, Secretary, Treasurer or equivalents; and • A bank account in the group’s name (or funds ring-fenced within the bank account of a local Community Initiative); • Or the group is operating under a local community trust, similar organisation, or other independent structure (i.e. as a Community Interest Company). Will my network need to… […]

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

…in Scotland The emphasis in the Framework on habitat connectivity is very positive, however connecting habitats will also enhance the ability of grey squirrels and other INNS to spread. Grey squirrel control and monitoring should be considered in the management planning for all of the landscape elements included in the Framework, i.e., Nature Networks, 30 by 30 protected areas, nature… […]

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

…there must be abundant good tree cover and of a mix of species that are favourable to red squirrels, providing plenty of food and places to drey. We look for species such as scots pine, oak, hazel, chestnuts, larch or others that provide benefits for squirrels, while avoiding areas with primarily sitka spruce as it can only support a low… […]

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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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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…of practice! So, a combination of skills acquired ‘on the job’, happened to equip me well for my current role as a volunteer for the cause of red squirrels here. Within the network of networks that is the Red Squirrel Forum for South Scotland, there must be people with many different backgrounds and experience: teachers for all ages, website editors,… […]

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Reviewing the Scottish Strategy for Red Squirrel Conservation

…Scottish Squirrel Group have been tasked with drafting an ambitious 50-year vision for red squirrel conservation in Scotland. The revised Strategy will cover a 10-year timeline (2025 – 2035) informed by this vision, and will be developed using the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Guidelines for Species Conservation Planning, the gold standard for species conservation planning which… […]

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Scotland’s Red Squirrels

…pine forests of the Highlands.   Under threat Red squirrel populations have seriously declined, with only around 120,000 remaining in Scotland today. In some places they have not been seen for many years. The greatest threat to the red squirrel’s future in Scotland is the invasive non-native grey squirrel. Larger and more robust, grey squirrels out-compete red squirrels for food… […]

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Notice for Spring Survey volunteers

…in situ. Complete your Tetrad Data Sheets, including your volunteer hours and collected stickies, posting these in the addressed pre-paid envelope provided. If you have been storing bait, you are welcome to use this in your own garden. For any other equipment you have such as cameras and spray bottles, please keep hold of these for now. When Covid-19 restrictions… […]

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Southern Uplands Partnership Guest Blog: Funding Success for Red Squirrel Recovery Network

…the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Over the next ten years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring… […]

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This Year's Sightings