conservation squirrels Scotland, Red Squirrels, squirrel conservation UK

We aim to ...

Maintain south Scotland as a stronghold of our native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L.), which has disappeared from many parts of Britain.

Over the last 5 years, the project has established an excellent network of foresters, local enthusiasts, agencies, communities and farmers. 23 Priority Woodlands were selected and guidance documents created for each one to ensure their positive management for red squirrels over the long term.

Over the next two years, the project will extend its focus to the 3km buffer zones around the Priority Woodlands and work with local communities to protect the red squirrels within.

This will be done by:

	Buffer Zone Management Working with local communities on red squirrel conservation and grey squirrel control measures.

	Surveying & Monitoring Establishing a network of local volunteers to obtain populations estimates for each Priority Woodland and assess fluctuations over time.

	Squirrelpox Virus Surveillance Facilitating key work on squirrelpox virus through research and laboratory analysis by encouraging collection of blood samples.