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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New Conservation Officer calls for the public to help protect red squirrels in the Scottish Borders

…red squirrels in Scottish Borders priority areas by managing the spread of invasive grey squirrels. Building up strong networks of volunteers will be essential to ensuring the red squirrel’s long-term survival in the region, and emerging community groups in areas such as Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water are already beginning to play a vital role. The project’s Grey Squirrel Officers… […]

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SSRS Knowledge Fair

SSRS Knowledge Fair: celebrating five years of developing community action   3-4 December 2021 As our ‘Developing Community Action’ phase comes to an end we will be celebrating all the project has achieved alongside our partners, volunteers, landowners and supporters. This virtual Knowledge Fair will also provide an opportunity to learn more about red squirrel conservation work happening across Scotland… […]

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Building a Volunteer Network

…a group commonly use: unincorporated and incorporated. Most groups start off as unincorporated and later become incorporated in some way, depending on the group. It is important to note that a decision on group structure doesn’t need to be made right away and often develops naturally over time. Start-up Funding Alongside initial support from SSRS for network groups operating within… […]

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Speakers FAQs

…questions to the panel. We will also have a set of pre-planned questions for each session to ensure no awkward silences! Will I receive CrowdComms training? Yes. Once the programme is finalised our CrowdComms technician will coordinate an online training session for all contributors. They will also provide guidance via email. What will happen to the presentations after the conference?… […]

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Call for Scots to become a nation of squirrel spotters this Red Squirrel Week

…red and grey squirrel sightings or by getting involved with a local volunteer group. Over 5000 squirrel sightings were reported in 2017 but with the launch of their new Hub, SSRS is this year looking to hit the 10,000 target. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager, Dr Mel Tonkin said: “For Red Squirrel Week, we’re launching a brand new website… […]

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Celebrating a red squirrel champion

…has chaired three region-wide online meetings with almost all the squirrel groups represented. At its inception, the Forum was seen as a vehicle for obtaining grant-funding at scale and for the good of all. This summer Peter spearheaded a successful application to the Red Squirrel Survival Trust to equip any group lacking them with a thermal imaging scope and up… […]

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How can mathematical modelling help save red squirrels in Scotland?

…Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland conservation efforts. Our knowledge of squirrel reproduction, dispersal, mortality, competition and squirrelpox transmission allows us to create mathematical models that simulate how red and grey squirrel populations change over time. The models can be combined with satellite maps of forest and squirrel habitat distribution to determine, for example, the spread and impact of squirrelpox… […]

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News: ‘Booster’ project will protect Scotland’s red squirrels for another two years

…are successfully being prevented from spreading north of the Highland Boundary Line, protecting Scotland’s core red squirrel populations in the Highlands and Grampian. Ongoing work in this region is essential, as evidenced by recent grey sightings in Aberfeldy. The project has also focussed on public engagement at both a local and nationwide level, with over 1000 people reporting squirrel sightings… […]

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This Year's Sightings