New action plan to save England’s red squirrels - Squirrel Accord
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) 2023-2028 has four 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 five years. During this time UKSA will work with various stakeholders to achieve an increase in red squirrel range and time spent conserving red squirrel.
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Posted On: 24/01/2023