The Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST), Natural England and the Forestry Commission are today announcing two important joint initiatives with that will help red squirrels to fight back in northern England.
The first initiative is a study to map grey squirrel control efforts in the north of England. It will take into account work undertaken by landowners, institutions, volunteers and local groups.
An independent review, recently published by Natural England, highlighted a need for greater understanding of existing grey squirrel control work across the current range of initiatives and local groups.
The mapping exercise announced today will address this by acknowledging and mapping grey squirrel control work, and will serve as a platform for building a co-ordinated future strategy for red squirrel conservation. This project is due to be completed early in the New Year.
The second initiative is the creation of a £40,000 grey squirrel control fund to pay for locally led trapping projects in northern England. Grants will be made to local initiatives that aim to safeguard nationally and regionally important red squirrel populations.
A particular focus is being placed on the area running along the English border with Scotland, the North Lakes in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Merseyside. Organisations working in the relevant areas are encouraged to apply to the Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST) for funding to assist them in tackling the threat from greys.
These initiatives come at a time when the red squirrel is showing tentative signs of a fightback. RSST and Save our Squirrels (who hold the sightings database for northern England) have over the past year received reports of red squirrel sightings in parts of Cumbria, Northumberland and Merseyside in areas where the reds had previously died out.
Joshua Perry, RSST Director, said:
“One big obstacle to red squirrel conservation in England is the lack of information about current grey squirrel control efforts. It is also clear to us that local groups and volunteers have for many years underpinned red squirrel conservation. By mapping everyone’s effort and providing funds for new projects we are laying the foundations of a future red squirrel strategy for northern England.
“In this we are delighted to be working closely together with the Forestry Commission and Natural England. This shows that institutions, charities, volunteers and landowners can all work together to protect our reds.”
Richard Pow, Forestry Commission Development manager, added:
“This new grey squirrel control fund is designed to complement the support offered by the Forestry Commission under the English Woodland Grant Scheme for red squirrel conservation which is available to owners of the 17 red squirrel reserves and woodland owners in the surrounding buffer zones. It will mean that local groups and others not eligible for this funding can receive some reward for doing their bit to help safeguard England’s red squirrels. We are pleased to be working so closely with Natural England and the RSST on these projects.”
Tom Tew, Chief Scientist at Natural England said:
“The red squirrel is one of this country’s best-loved mammals and it is essential that the many groups involved in red squirrel conservation are able to co-ordinate their efforts to deliver maximum results. The new fund and mapping initiative will be an important boost in supporting targeted grey squirrel control measures where they will have greatest impact on conserving our native reds. “
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST) is a UK charity established to ensure the conservation and protection of the red squirrel in the UK. Its Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales. RSST works in partnership with dedicated and knowledgeable local groups and organisations around the country. It aims to protect red squirrels by keeping reds and greys apart, stabilising new and existing populations, funding research and raising awareness of the plight of the red squirrel. RSST favours the use of volunteers wherever possible to support its aims. As well as ensuring strong community involvement in the cause, this also keeps administration and overheads costs to a minimum. For more information about RSST, visit www.rsst.org.uk.
2. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. For more visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northeastengland
3. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. For more visit www.naturalengland.org.uk
4. Contact details
Joshua Perry, Director
Red Squirrel Survival Trust
T: +44 20 7554 8579
M: +44 7812 104491
E: joshua.perry@rsst.org.uk
Craig Shuttleworth, National Operations Manager
Red Squirrel Survival Trust
M: +44 7966 150847
E: craig.shuttleworth@rsst.org.uk
Richard Darn
Forestry Commission:
0775 367 0038