WHAT: Lord Clark of Windermere will launch Whinlatter Forest Park as a flagship Red Squirrel Reserve. He will see a new Red Squirrel exhibition in the visitor centre and walk part of a new Squirrel Scurry trail.

WHEN: 10.45am, Monday 28th April 2008

WHERE: Whinlatter Visitor Centre near Keswick in Cumbria

Media who would like to attend the launch event should contact Paul Gardner or Jon Perkins at Osprey Communications on 015394-42436.

Lord Clark of Windermere will launch Whinlatter Forest Park as a flagship Red Squirrel Reserve on Monday 28th April.

The Forestry Commission has teamed up with Save Our Squirrels to create new facilities that will offer visitors a great opportunity to see, enjoy and learn about red squirrels in the wild.

Whinlatter is one of the few places in England that still has a good population of red squirrels and is ideally suited to the species because of the way the forest is managed. It is one of Cumbria’s larger forests (1,200ha) and is largely coniferous, the habitat that is better suited to red squirrels than their American grey cousins.

The new facilities include an exciting and interactive indoor Red Squirrel Experience where people can learn about this endangered mammal. There is also a new Squirrel Scurry trail, which will give people more opportunities to understand and see red squirrels in the surrounding forest.

Lord Clark said:

“Red squirrels are one of our best loved native animals, yet sadly they are seriously under threat. The Forestry Commission has managed Whinlatter as a red squirrel reserve for the last three years and was pleased to gain the support of Save our Squirrels to install these new facilities which recognise that we have made an important step in helping to protect them.

“The Forestry Commission will ensure that the habitat at Whinlatter continues to favour red squirrels and work to provide new ways for people to learn more about these popular animals.”

The Squirrel Scurry trail will include a new squirrel rope bridge, a series of squirrel sculptures and a number of feeders to give people more chance to spot red squirrels. Several local volunteers, organised by Save Our Squirrels, are taking it in turns to fill the feeders twice a week.

A trail map provides details about red squirrel habitats, food, threats and conservation. On completing the route children will receive a red squirrel mask or a badge.

Inside the visitor centre there are new displays about the red squirrel and people will be able to access additional information on the Save Our Squirrels website. There is also a beautiful carved wooden picture board, depicting a woodland scene, which was produced with help from children at Borrowdale Primary School.

Charlotte Widgery, People and Wildlife Officer for the Cumbria and North Yorkshire branch of Save our Squirrels, designed the new Red Squirrel Experience at Whinlatter.

Charlotte Widgery, said:

“Save Our Squirrels is delighted to have been given the opportunity to help develop a new red squirrel visitor experience for Whinlatter Forest, as this is one of the best locations to see red squirrels in the wild and is one of three Flagship Red Squirrel Reserves in England.”

On Sunday 4th May there will also be a special family fun day to introduce people to the new reserve. The event will include family activity stalls, face-painting, mask making and workshops.

As well as providing the new facilities for visitors, the Forestry Commission has also been taking steps to make the Red Squirrel habitat at Whinlatter Forest even better, with a mixed age structure and range of conifer species and by not planting large seeded broadleaves. Grey squirrel control is also undertaken as a key part of sustaining the last remaining populations of reds.

Red Squirrels usually have russet red fur, although coat colour can vary with some reds appearing very grey. They are small with ear tufts, while grey squirrels are stockier and rounder. They spend much of their time in the tree canopy but telltale signs to look for include large dreys in trees, scratch marks on bark, and chewed pine cones that look like chewed apple cores.

Red Squirrels usually produce 2 to 3 young, called kittens, in the spring but litters can occasionally include as many as 6 kittens. Sometimes they can also produce a second litter in the summer if conditions are right.

Created by Red Alert North England, the Save our Squirrels project is currently the largest single species conservation initiative in the UK. The aim of the project is to deliver the North of England Red Squirrel Conservation Strategy by protecting and conserving the Red Squirrel, focusing on 16 designated Red Squirrel reserves in northern England.

In addition to Whinlatter, there are two other flagship Red Squirrel Reserves at Sefton in Merseyside and Kielder in Northumberland.

Save our Squirrels receives 56 per cent of its current funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support from Red Alert North England, a public-private partnership of organisations interested in the conservation of Red Squirrels on mainland England; corporate sponsorship; and donations from individuals, including HRH The Prince of Wales.

The project also receives support for its activities in Cumbria through an innovative visitor payback scheme operated by the Tourism Conservation Partnership, and the support of the Furness Building Society.

For more information on Red Squirrel conservation at Whinlatter, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland.

For more information on the Save our Squirrels project, visit www.saveoursquirrels.org.uk

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. IMAGES AVAILABLE: Images of a red squirrel are attached. Higher resolution images are available from Paul Gardner or Jon Perkins at Osprey Communications on 015394-42436.

2. The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of countryside recreation in Britain with responsibility for over one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest, woodlands and open countryside. The North West England Forest District covers the Lake District in Cumbria, the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The forests today are managed for conservation, wildlife, landscape and recreation as well as providing a valuable source of timber.

3. Save our Squirrels (SoS) was created to deliver the Red Squirrel Strategy, and has three main aims:
• Raising the profile and plight of the red squirrel through education, engagement and access work
• Undertaking habitat management and squirrel conservation activities with the landowners and managers in the 16 reserves and surrounding areas
• Securing the long-term sustainability of red squirrel conservation, access and public engagement

For more information visit www.saveoursquirrels.org.uk

MEDIA CONTACTS: Nathan Fox (Recreation Ranger) at Whinlatter Forest on 01768-778469 or email nathan.fox@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact Adrian Jones (Recreation Manager) on 017687-78612 or email adrian.jones@forestry.gsi.gov.uk