A red squirrel rests on a tree branch in Britain, where conservation groups are
receiving grants of up to £5,000 to support community-led initiatives aimed at
protecting the endangered species and preserving its natural habitat.
By Sudhir J. kumar
United Kingdom: Conservation groups working to protect Britain’s endangered red squirrels are being invited to apply for funding from a £250,000 fund launched by the Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN).
The network is offering grants ranging from £500 for smaller activities to £5,000 for projects with a wider reach. The initiative aims to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to participate in red squirrel conservation and help local communities reconnect with nature.
Launched in 2025, the Red Squirrel Recovery Network works with conservation partners and volunteer groups across Northumberland, Cumbria, Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and southern Scotland to raise awareness of the species and support its protection.
Red squirrels have experienced a substantial decline across Britain. According to the RSRN, their population has been estimated at approximately 287,000. In May, the animal welfare group Save Our Reds warned that the species continued to survive in areas including Cumbria, Northumberland and the North Pennines but could disappear within 25 years.
One of the major threats to red squirrels is the spread of grey squirrels, introduced to Britain from North America from 1876 onwards. According to Natural England, grey squirrels can transmit squirrelpox, a disease that is often fatal to red squirrels. Habitat loss and concerns about the enforcement of existing protections have also been highlighted by Save Our Reds as factors contributing to their decline.
The funding programme seeks to support community-led ideas that raise awareness of red squirrels and encourage practical conservation action. Potential activities include themed walks, educational initiatives and improvements to local spaces connected with wildlife conservation.
Heather Harris of the RSRN said the project aimed to remind people of the importance of red squirrels to Britain’s natural heritage. She also emphasised the need to engage younger generations, particularly those with fewer opportunities to experience wildlife directly.
RSRN programme manager Mike Denbury said the network welcomed ideas ranging from introducing children to red squirrels for the first time to developing larger-scale habitat protection projects.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the initiative aims to broaden public participation in conservation and strengthen community involvement in protecting the species.
Through this funding opportunity, the network hopes to turn local enthusiasm into meaningful action, helping safeguard red squirrels and the habitats on which they depend.
