Red Squirrel Appreciation Day is being marked across the UK with new research, monitoring milestones and opportunities for the public to get involved in protecting one of Britain’s most iconic native mammals.
As a signatory to the UK Squirrel Accord, the Future Trees Trust is highlighting the collaborative work underway to safeguard red squirrels and the habitats they depend on.
Partners across the sector are sharing updates on both science and practical conservation. These include a webinar exploring how detection dogs are supporting red squirrel recovery in Aberdeen, led by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, Cairngorm Conservation Dogs and Conservation K9 Consultancy.
In Scotland, more than 250,000 red squirrel records have now been collected, a major milestone for long-term population monitoring. Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Ulster Wildlife has launched an All-Ireland survey to track squirrels and pine martens during 2026, calling on the public to submit sightings to support vital data collection.
Together, these initiatives underline the importance of partnership, evidence and public engagement in securing a future for red squirrels across the UK and Ireland.
