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Red squirrel project opens £250k community grant for conservation groups
Overview
The Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN) has launched a £250,000 grant fund to support groups protecting endangered red squirrels. Grants range from £500 for small activities to £5,000 for wider initiatives. The project operates across regions including Northumberland, Cumbria, Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and southern Scotland, aiming to raise awareness, engage communities, and combat the dramatic decline of the species caused by factors such as the squirrelpox virus and habitat loss.
Key points
- The Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN) has opened a £250,000 community grant fund.
- Grants range between £500 for smaller activities and up to £5,000 for projects with a wider reach.
- The project works across Northumberland, Cumbria, Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and southern Scotland.
- Red squirrel populations in Britain have declined significantly, with estimates at approximately 287,000.
- Declines are driven by factors including the introduction of grey squirrels carrying the fatal squirrelpox virus, habitat loss, and weak enforcement of protections.
- The initiative is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and seeks to inspire action and reconnect communities with nature.