Local Squirrel Groups are voluntaryassociationsof people who are keen to work towards red squirrelconservation in their local area. Their members are mainly members of the public who are interested in conservation of red squirrels, but often include representatives of national and local
conservation organisations such as Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, the National Trust for Scotland or the local Biodiversity Partnership, as well as local landowners and private foresters. A few groups have managed to obtain funding to employ a Red Squirrel Project Officer to help co-ordinate the activities of the group. All of the groups need plenty of volunteers to carry out the work.
Stimulating the reporting of sightings of red and grey squirrels
Promoting red squirrel friendly management of woodlands
Promoting education and awareness of red squirrels
Improving squirrel knowledge through research
Organising training in red squirrel ecology and survey techniques
Contributing towards Local Biodiversity Action Plan targets
Providing a local forum for discussion and exchange of ideas, information and experience in all aspects of red squirrel conservation
Developing and implementing conservation strategies targeting core red squirrel areas
Instigating grey squirrel control programmes in targeted areas if required
If you would like to get involved in this important red squirrel conservation work, you will be welcomed by your local squirrel group. Contact details below.
If you want to help by sending in your records of squirrel sightings, then go to our “Submit Records” page.