About us and our conservation work
WE ARE A VOLUNTEER CHARITY WORKING IN THE CENTRAL SCOTTISH BORDERS
The project is working with local communities to ensure red squirrels will always be a part of Scotland’s special native wildlife. Together with partners, landowners and a network of local groups and volunteers, we are focused on the areas where red squirrels are most under threat from the spread of the invasive grey squirrel.
Our efforts are making a difference — in many places, red squirrels are already making a comeback. However, there is still a lot of work to do. With your help, we can continue to protect them.
MISSION & HISTORY
The Central Borders Red Squirrel Network was formed in 2023. It has gone through some changes in identity to encompass an ever growing network of supporters and to undertake red squirrel conservation in areas not covered across the central Borders. Formally Hawick, Selkirk and Denholm Red Squirrel Network which was set up in 2022 when two smaller established groups joined forces: Selkirk and Ale Water, and, Hawick, Teviot and Rule, which formed in 2019 and 2020 respectively. We now cover an area in excess of 430km2
The group is dedicated to stopping the decline of red squirrel populations in the Scottish Borders, to contain or significantly slow the progress of squirrelpox in South Scotland and to improve conditions for viable red squirrel populations across Scotland.
It is a partnership project between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Nature Scot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage), Forestry & Land Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, Red Squirrels forum for South Scotland, Red Squirrel Survival Trust and RSPB Scotland. However, we receive no funding from any of these organisations, so support from like-minded individuals and organisations is vital to our continued efforts.
We are a charity under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. Our charity number is SC053059.
MEET THE TEAM
Jan Ferguson - Chair
Wendy Roethenbaugh - Joint Secretary
John Ogilvie - Treasurer
Michelle Stamp - Committee member
Bill Ferguson - Grey squirrel control coordinator
Dave Roethenbaugh - Joint Secretary
Nigel Lorriman - Committee member
And... Hazel - Our Red Squirrel Mascot
GREY SQUIRREL CONTROL
The most effective way in which Red Squirrels can be protected is to remove grey squirrels in such conflict areas. The live trapping and dispatching of grey squirrels is regulated and it is a criminal offence to release a grey squirrel that has been trapped. If you want to volunteer to become a grey squirrel controller then please contact us and we will provide you with all the necessary equipment and training should we believe that grey squirrel control is appropriate in your area.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Our aim is to raise awareness of the plight of our native red squirrel population. We attend many community events throughout our project area. If you have a community event taking place and would like us to attend then please let us know.
SCHOOL VISITS
For any school within our project area we are happy to come along and talk to a class of children from early years to S3. We would first speak to the teacher involved to assess what level and length of presentation would be best and depending on this conversation we would come up with an age-relevant talk including interactive elements which can range from... colouring-in of red squirrel posters, Q&A, quizzes, wordsearch sheets, practical fieldcraft, including, where approriate, feeding, trail cameras, reporting sightings and microscope examination of squirrel fur.
Some schools prefer to do their own instruction. In this case we can come to your school and "teach the teacher", enabling them to lead their own classes on Red Squirrels. You will find a link to various education resources provided by Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels, which is the umbrella organisation involved in red squirrel conservation in Scotland.
MONITORING
An important part of conservation is knowing as much as possible about the currrent population. We can only do this with your help. By entering your red and grey squirrel sightings on the SSRS website you are helping us to save our precious red squirrels.
RADIO, TV & PRESS
We'd love to publicise our activities and have a great story to tell. If you work in radio or TV and would like to report on our fantastic conservation work, please contact Jan at bordersredsquirrels@gmail.com
We attend lots of community events each year and the sight of "Hazel", our larger-than-life red squirrel captivating young children and adults alike is sure to be of interest to your readers.
RESOURCES
We have a small but enthusiastic group of volunteers who we can call upon to help out with various activities, from pre-school, primary and secondary education, fund raising, commmunity engagement and merchandising.
WHAT LAWS RELATE TO SQUIRRELS IN SCOTLAND?
The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 provides for duty of care for animals in captivity (live-trapped animals). This makes it an offence to inflict, or allow others to inflict, cruelty or abuse on a grey squirrel held captive.
The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) makes it illegal to release, or allow to escape to the wild, any captive grey squirrel.
The Prohibition of Importing and Keeping Order 1937 makes it an offence to keep a grey squirrel in captivity except under licence.
The Grey Squirrels (Warfarin) Order 1973 does not allow the use of warfarin on grey squirrels for the purpose of tree protection in Scotland.
This is not a definitive guide to the legislation and you should refer to the original legislation if you need more details (hit the underlined links for each item of legislation (above)).
IMPORTANT
Do not attempt to trap or destroy grey squirrels without seeking advice first. If you are resident in our project area, we can put you in touch with your local Red Squirrel Conservation Officer who can offer you free advice and training on how to help control grey squirrels in a way that is legal, safe and humane. Please contact us for help.