Overview. Jim Wilson Photography. Dr Mel Tonkin Project Manager

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1 Overview Jim Wilson Photography Dr Mel Tonkin Project Manager

2 Grey squirrels widespread and still spreading in 2007

3 Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels: Strategic Aims Three different areas - each with a different regional aim North East Scotland Central Lowlands Southern Scotland

4 The strategic aims of the control strategy 3. South Scotland squirrelpox containment Prevention of SQPV from transmitting from infected populations on the Cumbria border to the uninfected populations of the Central Belt; contain SQPV outbreaks in red squirrels. Squirrelpox test results

5 The strategic aims of the control strategy 4. South Scotland 2014 onwards red squirrel protection Refocussing effort towards Priority Areas for Red Squirrel Conservation (PARCs)

6 The strategic aims of the control strategy 4. South Scotland 2014 onwards red squirrel protection Refocussing effort towards Priority Areas for Red Squirrel Conservation (PARCs)

7 Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels: Outputs in the first 8 years Red squirrel protection networks Co-ordinated grey squirrel control trapping across the strategically identified landscapes Project staff Trapping in key sites without other coverage; national forest estate Landowners collaborating Up to 140 under 5-year Scottish Rural Development Programme funded contracts Project trap-loan scheme 200+ landowners (28+ current) 500+ individuals (200+ current)

8 Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels: Outputs in the first 8 years Standardised surveys to monitor effects of control on squirrel range 2 x 2 Km-squares: presence/absence of red and grey squirrels by standardised effort. 222 in Spring 2016 Crucial role of survey volunteers!

9 Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels: Outputs in the first 8 years Squirrelpox surveillance monitoring Testing blood of grey squirrels for specific Squirrelpox antibodies

10 Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels: Outputs in the first 8 years Public sightings records in Scotland Promotion, Collation Verification Sharing on National Biodiversity Network

11 Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels: Outputs in the first 8 years Public engagement Guided walks Events Training workshops Facebook page Press and media

12 Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels: Outputs in the first 8 years Evaluation reporting GLMM Output Tayside

13 Saving Scotland's Saving Red Scotland s Squirrels: Red Developing Squirrels: Findings Community Action SSRS established that this work has: Halted the decline of red squirrels in project areas Allowed reds to thrive where grey squirrel densities have been kept very low even in the presence of Squirrelpox virus (SQPV). Grey squirrel control critical in maintaining red squirrel populations in south Scotland (ref: computer modelling by White & Lurz 2014) Grey squirrel control has slowed but not stopped the spread of SQPV

14 Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels: Critical understanding SSRS: Developing Community Action To keep red squirrels in Scotland s landscapes it is essential to have sustained targeted, landscape-scale, coordinated grey squirrel population control over the long term (i.e. the foreseeable future decades) Problem Long term grey squirrel control requires huge fundraising effort by the Scottish Wildlife Trust which is unsustainable Government and charitable trust funding contribution continually falling

15 Future Plans Scottish Wildlife Trust has 30-year strategy. Squirrelpox modelling along Highland Line: Prof Andy White (Heriot-Watt University), Prof Mike Boots and Dr Peter Lurz - NERC grant for SQPV modelling to predict scale and location of control work needed to protect highland red squirrels from grey squirrel replacement and squirrelpox indefinitely. Heritage Lottery Funded 5-year project.

16 Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels Developing Community Action Aims to develop a more sustainable way to protect red squirrels for the long-term Aberdeenshire: Hope to reach an end-point with eradication. SSRS-DCA to develop ongoing monitoring and rapid response mechanism if greys detected. Central Lowlands: Little scope for cost-cutting. SSRS-DCA to continue as at present. South Scotland: Move away from reliance on team of paid staff. SSRS-DCA to set up a different means of delivering sustained grey squirrel population management.

17 Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels Developing Community Action How? By creating communities of local people and landowners motivated and capable of acting together to protect red squirrels in PARCs SSRS role to be gradually reduced to co-ordinating, supporting and monitoring the work with a reduced project team post-hlf SSRS-DCA: Step-change in the level of investment in engaging and supporting local people to take on responsibility for the practical conservation work Fostering a sense of local ownership and pride in role in red squirrel conservation

18 Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels Developing Community Action Project Support New communications staff - Communications Officer, PR Administrator, South Scotland Community Engagement Officer New interpretation materials for staff and volunteers - templates for local volunteer groups to use - banners, leaflets, interpretation boards, flyers, posters, etc Development of new web-based Community Hub - for easy data entry and rapid mapping, local group information, link to group s own web page Comprehensive training programme - red squirrel natural history, survey, control, record keeping, public outreach, IT skills, etc. Meetings at least annually - to feed back to our volunteers and partners

19 Thanks to our funders:..