New action plan to save England's red squirrels

OVER the last 150 years, England's red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, populations have significantly declined. This iconic species is now classed as nationally endangered. Evidence shows that the expansion of grey squirrel populations and range are the main cause of local red squirrel extinctions.

On Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, 21 January 2023, the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) launches a new action plan to help protect and enhance England's endangered red squirrels. This will make a positive contribution to the dedicated conservation efforts already taking place and compliment the red squirrel action plan or strategies underway in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The England Red Squirrel Action Plan (ERSAP) 2023 to 2028 has 4 key aims:-

► Protect, identify and strengthen red squirrel populations across the current range.

► Expand the current range of red squirrels.

► Support and improve collaborative action at all levels.

► Promote better understanding and support for red squirrel conservation across England.

Delivering the actions needed at the scale required to achieve these goals is a complex and significant challenge. The ERSAP provides a framework of strategic actions to underpin and guide red squirrel conservation and recovery in England.

Successful delivery of the plan will depend on strong collaboration between stakeholders at local and national levels, including community groups, conservation organisations and Government agencies. Effective communications that raise awareness of and engagement in red squirrel conservation are also vital. A new stakeholder group is being set up to start delivering the actions.

The plan will be reviewed and updated in 5 years. During this time UKSA will work with various stakeholders to achieve an increase in red squirrel range and time spent conserving red squirrels. The Government, alongside the Forestry Commission and Natural England, has worked with others in the UKSA partnership to develop the action plan and will support its implementation through actions such as habitat creation to protect the long-term future of this iconic species.

Kay Haw, Director of the UK Squirrel Accord, said:- "Red squirrels are an important part of England's natural heritage. Working together we can ensure they have a positive future by mitigating the tragic declines in their numbers. While human actions endangered these much-loved mammals, it is also human actions that can reverse their fate. It is only thanks to the fantastic efforts of all those involved in red squirrel conservation that we still see them on the English mainland today. The new England Red Squirrel Action Plan aims to build on this valuable work and ensure our only native squirrel survives for future generations."

Lord Kinnoull DL, Chair of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, said:- "We must halt the loss of biodiversity we are sadly witnessing in England. As well as bringing much joy to people's lives, red squirrels are integral to our woodland ecosystems and support the natural regeneration of our woods. We believe the England Red Squirrel Action Plan will enhance the admirable efforts of all those who have been working for years to protect our native red squirrels from introduced grey squirrels. We encourage everyone to support it, to get involved however you can and spread the message far and wide. We all look forward to a day when our woods turn red again with these beautiful creatures."

Mike Denbury, Project Manager of Red Squirrels Northern England, said:- "The England Red Squirrel Action Plan provides a much needed framework to guide red squirrel conservation at a time when the threat of extinction is very much a reality. The plan sets out core objectives to use existing knowledge and experience to act as a catalyst for change. It aims to raise awareness of the threat to red squirrels and bring this important message to new audiences. The plan also welcomes collaboration with and work alongside the organisations and community groups that are working tirelessly to ensure the recovery of this iconic species."

David Walter, Volunteer Advocate for the UK Squirrel Accord, said:- "Over the years many individuals and local Red Squirrel groups have been working away doing their bit for Red Squirrel conservation. It has been a privilege as a volunteer to have been involved in undertaking grey control in various woodland areas and to have witnessed the return of Red Squirrels into areas where they have not been seen for many years. The English Red Squirrel Action Plan will now provide a strategy that can be used by volunteers and groups to further the aim of Red Squirrel Conservation. As a volunteer I'm looking forward to seeing the stabilisation of existing Red Squirrel populations and their expansion into new territories."

Red squirrels are protected under Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 and as amended). The UK Government's A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to improve the environment is an important policy driver of red squirrel conservation. As a key goal for the 25-Year Plan is to achieve:- 'thriving plants and wildlife.'

In England, grey squirrels are the greatest threat to red squirrel survival. Greys were introduced from North America from 1876 and are larger and more aggressive. They outcompete reds for food and habitat, and carry squirrelpox virus that they do not contract, but which is almost always fatal to reds. Red squirrels will only survive if grey squirrel populations are effectively managed.

For further information please go to:- SquirrelAccord.UK or contact:- Info@SquirrelAccord.UK.

Woodland resilience in the shadow of Storm Arwen

MORE than 80 farmers, landowners and forestry sector experts gathered at Gilling West Village Hall for a:- 'Where to with woodlands?' event on 17 January 2023, which was chaired by Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley.Even though the event was aimed at farmers and landowners in Yorkshire and the North East, delegates came as far afield as Cumbria and Lancashire. Forestry experts shared their advice on creating new, and managing existing woodlands. A funders' sprint show cased the offerings of various forestry-support organisations across the Region which included:- the Woodland Trust, White Rose Forest, Great Northumberland Forest, North East Community Forest, Durham Woodland Revival and Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Storm Arwen and future resilience... The event also zoomed in on resilience within the forestry sector following the devastation caused by Storm Arwen, and subsequent storms. After a case study on Storm Arwen's impact by landowner James Cookson from Meldon Estate, the Forestry Commission's Richard Pow, Partnership and Expertise Manager, set out the lessons learnt since then, and their current thinking in dealing with storms damage to woodlands.

Key points included:-

►  Working with Scottish Forestry and others in refreshing windblow action plans in light of the Storm Arwen experience.

►  Discussing the support needed following significant weather events

►  Reflecting on the difficulties that can arise in marketing large volumes of uncertified timber and what this could mean for owners and certification processes.

►  Reflecting on the vulnerability of rural communities reliant on overhead power transmission through areas of high tree cover.

►  Exploring the application of innovations in satellite technology, and other forms or remote sensing, to improve estimates of windblow.

Forestry Commission Chair, Sir William Worsley, who chaired the event, said:- "Farmers and Landowners are well placed to create and manage woods and this conference highlighted the excellent support and funding available to create new woods. I highlighted the fact that English forestry only produces 6% of what we consume in England, so there is a pressing need to strengthen timber security across the country. The Forestry Commission learnt a great deal from Storm Arwen to help the forestry sector become more resilient."

CLA Director North, Lucinda Douglas, said:- "The event brought together sector experts with landowners and farmers, highlighting support, opportunities and funding for those wanting to create, as well as, improve the management of existing woodlands. Speakers reflected on planting the right trees in the right place, and how this can also benefit agriculture, in addition to sequestering carbon, enhancing biodiversity, growing domestic wood sufficiency, and public amenity to name just a few."

'Where to with woodlands?' event was hosted by the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) and supported by the Forestry Commission.

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