Since 2017 SSRS has helped establish 17 dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer Local Network Groups across the south of Scotland, providing them with training and support to control grey squirrels and monitor, promote and protect red squirrels where they live. As our latest 2022-24 SSRS Transition Phase comes to an end, all volunteer groups […]
Category: Volunteering
Introducing the new Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group
In February 2023 the Eastern Lowlands Red Squirrel Group (ELRSG) was established with funding through the Red Squirrel Survival Trust. It is an independent group from Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels as the project does not cover this area. The Eastern Lowlands includes the Kingdom of Fife, Clackmannanshire, part of Stirling and parts of Perth and […]
North East Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating our volunteer Janice Drew as she moves on to pastures new!
As one of our dedicated volunteers lays down her tools we talk to Dr Emma Sheehy, Eradication Scientific Lead for our north east project region, about why volunteers make such a difference to the work she and her team are undertaking, and we hear from Janice about what she got up to and loved […]
Hawick, Selkirk and Denholm Red Squirrel Network – One Year Later
Saving Scotland Red Squirrels: Developing Community Action ran from 2017 – 2022. One of the aims of this phase of the project was to set up and equip a network of volunteer groups in South Scotland capable of independently taking forward red squirrel conservation in the region. As such, in April 2022, 13 of the […]
Welcoming volunteers back into the field this Volunteers’ Week
Covid-19 has presented a number of challenges since the start of the year and we are delighted to announce that, with the easing of restrictions, we can now begin to welcome wider Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels volunteers back into the field in perfect time for National Volunteers’ Week. We want to start by thanking […]
News: Help stop the spread of grey squirrels in the Mearns
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is appealing for help to stop the spread of grey squirrels into the Mearns region of Aberdeenshire. Recently a number of grey squirrels have been found north of the River North Esk in areas including Marykirk, St Cyrus and Benholm. Without urgent action, local red squirrel populations in the […]
HRH The Prince of Wales gives special thanks to volunteers on Red Squirrel Appreciation Day
Today marks Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, a time to celebrate one of our most treasured native species and those that have been working selflessly to protect them. Our conservation efforts would not be possible without the tremendous help of our enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers, and today our gratitude is echoed in an open letter […]
Coronavirus: Temporary suspension of SSRS non-essential volunteer work
Following the latest government guidelines, it has been agreed between Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels and the Scottish Wildlife Trust that all volunteer work, with the exception of essential grey squirrel control volunteers, will be temporarily suspended with immediate effect. As we prepare for mainland Scotland to transition into Tier 4 restrictions from Saturday […]
Notice for Spring Survey volunteers
We want to thank all of our SSRS Spring Survey volunteers who participated in the 2020 Survey. It was very disappointing that we were unable to complete the survey this year due to the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 and we appreciate your patience as we have adjusted to a new means of working. […]
Celebrating a red squirrel champion
Dr Peter Garson, Chair of the Gatehouse Squirrel Group, has been recognised as this year’s Species Champion in the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Trustees’ Awards for Volunteering. Giuliana Sinclair, Community Engagement Officer for South West Scotland discusses how this award not only celebrates Peter’s immense dedication and drive but also stands as an inspiration to […]