Our Coast, Our Sea - The best Red Squirrel Week ever!

7 October 2010

Northumberland Wildlife Trust
National Red Squirrel Week in the North East of England started on a high with the launch of the fabulous new Axel Scheffler red squirrel book at Kielder Castle and Fenwick Ltd in Newcastle.

However, as if this wasn’t enough, the week is ending on even higher note with the announcement that Save our Squirrels (SoS) has been awarded a grant of £50,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The funding has been given for the next six months to help SoS develop a new major HLF public engagement and education project to be called “Save our North East Squirrels”. If successful, the project will aim to work with, and support, every community with a local population of red squirrels across the North East of England.

Carri Nicholson, ‘Save our Squirrels’ Project Manager, said:
“I am thrilled that the Heritage Lottery Fund has shown its faith in Save our Squirrels by supporting us over the next six months whilst we develop this project. To be able to continue our already successful partnership with such a supportive organisation is a real gift.”

She continued: “If people still want to be able to see these gorgeous creatures throughout our region in 10 years time, then everybody has a part to play in their protection. Involving local communities in monitoring and protecting their red squirrels is vital to the success of all planned red squirrel conservation efforts over the next 5 years, and that’s what we will aim to deliver.”

Ivor Crowther, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, North East, said:
“The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be supporting this project that will help protect this increasingly rare species. Volunteers will have a great opportunity see and work with these special animals, taking part in monitoring their numbers, recording sightings of the squirrels and giving guided walks to the local community and visitors. The Red Squirrels are
native to England and are an important part of our natural heritage, it is important that we do what we can to ensure their survival.”