Red squirrel conservationists have reported a growing confidence in their bid to protect Scotland’s remaining red squirrel populations, it was announced today (16 May 2011).

The announcement comes as Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS), the largest coordinated project to protect red squirrels in Scotland, marked its second year in operation recently. 

Mel Tonkin, SSRS Project Manager, said:  “This project is the first strategic approach to red squirrel conservation ever to be attempted in Scotland.  By channeling resources to priority areas in our aim to protect red squirrels by halting the spread of grey squirrels, we are making encouraging progress. 

“Most excitingly, since the start of the project, red squirrel sightings are being reported to us more frequently in some areas, such as Dunkeld, Meigle and Alyth, and red squirrels have also been spotted in other areas, like Stoneywood near Aberdeen, for the first time.   

“Another encouraging achievement in the last two years has been our success in setting up networks of local landowners working to control grey squirrels in target zones.  More than 300 landowners are now involved with our project, helping us maintain larger control boundaries and monitor squirrel distribution.  

“We have also helped many of these landowners receive funding from the Scottish Rural Development Programme.”

Jonny Hughes, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Director of Conservation, added:  “This project has forged positive partnerships between land managers and conservationists, so we now have a coordinated approach to red squirrel conservation. We hope that the partnerships established through this project will provide a lasting legacy and continue to protect red squirrels in these areas.”

As recommended by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, some of the best places to see red squirrels include Carnie Woods near Aberdeen, Haddo House in the Borders, Queen Elizabeth Forest near Aberfoyle, and Blair Atholl in Perthshire.

SSRS is a partnership project between Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA).

Find out more about the project and how you can get involved at www.scottishsquirrels.org.uk. 

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For further information, please contact:

Nicola McGovern

PR and Communications Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust

Email: nmcgovern@swt.org.uk

Tel: 0131 312 4742

Notes to Editors

• Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels aims to stop the decline of red squirrel populations in key areas of Scotland north of the Central Belt and to improve conditions for viable red squirrel populations across Scotland.  It is a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association. It is part of Scotland's Species Action Framework, which sets out a strategic approach to species management in Scotland.  For more information, visit www.swt.org.uk. 
• The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a registered charity. It is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 34,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 wildlife reserves Scotland-wide. www.swt.org.uk
• Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)is theScottish Government’s statutory advisor on the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage. For further information on SNH, please visit www.snh.org.uk.  SNH is a funding partner of the project. 
• Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) serves as the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government, advising on and implementing forestry policy and managing the national forest estate.  FCS is ensuring that the national forest estate plays its part in delivering the aims of project Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels.
• The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) is the leading representative body for all land and rural property owners and land-based businesses in Scotland.  It is a membership organisation comprising rural entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses that operate in rural Scotland.  www.srpba.com
• In addition to financial support from the project partners, the SSRS project has received funding from a range of sources including Aberdeen Greenspace, Albert George and Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust, Biffaward, Dulverton Trust, Englefield Charitable Trust, Gannochy Trust, HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust, J & J R Wilson Charitable Trust, Lascelles Charitable Trust, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, Rural Aberdeenshire and Rural Tayside LEADER including the European Community and the Scottish Government, Martin Connell Charitable Trust, Mitchell Trust, People’s Postcode Lottery, Red Squirrel Survival Trust, Robert O Curle Charitable Trust, the Robertson Trust, SITA Tayside Biodiversity Fund, Talteg Ltd, Tennant Southpark Charitable Trust and the Susan H Guy Charitable Trust.
• Red Squirrels in South Scotland Project (RSSS) is the sister project to SSRS working to stem the spread of pox carrying grey squirrels in south Scotland for the protection of red squirrels.  Squirrelpox is a virus fatal to red squirrels but harmless to the grey squirrels which carry and spread it.  Grey squirrels migrating north from northern England are bringing squirrelpox to Scotland.  The work of RSSS is therefore essential to Scotland’s red squirrel population as a whole and to maintain southern Scotland as a stronghold for our native red. RSSS has been conducting and promoting grey squirrel control since 2000. www.redsquirrels.org.uk.