Join a local squirrel group 

Activities and training
Local Groups in North England       Groups and Organisations elsewhere in the UK

Northern Red Squirrels is an independent voluntary umbrella group, set up to bring together all voluntary groups and individuals who are interested in saving red squirrels. As the 'voluntary voice' for red conservation we welcome all volunteers to join us! To find out more please contact us.

Save our Squirrels works closely with existing local groups in the areas that we work and we are keen to encourage the establishment of new groups. Group size varies enormously from one or two people to a network of more than 30, coordinated through key members. 

Most of the existing volunteer groups in Cumbria, Northumberland and Merseyside are part of Northern Red Squirrels, an umbrella organisation of voluntary squirrel groups.

  Group activities include

• Raising awareness about red squirrels locally and encouraging coordinated action within the community;
• Recording sightings of red and grey squirrels;
• Control of grey squirrels for the conservation of reds; 
• Assisting with red squirrel surveys in Red Squirrel Reserves and Buffer Zones;
• Encouraging and enabling young people to get involved with red squirrel conservation;
• Joint events with Save our Squirrels staff
• Local fundraising to support the actions of the group.

Save our Squirrels works with local groups to provide them with the support they need. 
This includes:

• Training and advice on grey squirrel control
• Trap loan schemes
• Training, advice and materials for education and awareness raising
• Use of Save our Squirrels logo and charity number (under a signed agreement)
• Talks and presentations for group members
• Continued liaison with regards to the latest squirrel happenings in each of the group's areas

Cumbria/North Yorkshire

There are currently local groups in Allerdale, Copeland, Furness, Greenhead, Grasmere, Mallerstang, Penrith, Sedbergh and Westmorland, Loughrigg; 95% of Cumbria is currently covered by an existing red squirrel group.

To join an existing local group, contact Northern Red Squirrels through their website.

If you are interested in setting up a new local group or other voluntary activity contact Charlotte Widgery at Save our Squirrels.

Northumberland

Merseyside and West Lancashire

There are three Red Squirrel Groups in the Merseyside and West Lancashire area.  Two - Southport &Formby and Rainford are contactable through Northern Red Squirrels.  The third, Little Crosby, is contactable through the SoS Office in Merseyside - please contact Sally Orritt for more information on this group. For details of upcoming meetings click here.

Scotland

There are a number of red squirrel groups - both voluntary and funded - around Scotland.  Look at the Scottish Red Squirrel Survey website for more details on these groups.

Wales

Anglesey is the home of a very successful red squirrel reintroduction programme.  Find out more about this project and other red squirrel work in Wales on http://www.redsquirrels.info/index.html.

Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Brecknock make up a large carniferous block known as the Tywi Forest, this is where the Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project is based.  To find out more about the ongoing project visit http://www.wwbic.org.uk/redsquirrelproject

England

The Isle of Wight has a healthy population of red squirrels and greys are actively discouraged from reaching the island. Find out more on http://www.wightsquirrels.co.uk/.

Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour has the other significant wild population of red squirrels in the south of England.  The island is owned by the National Trust and Dorset Wildlife Trust manage a wildlife reserve on the island.