The return of the red squirrel: Restoring an iconic native species to the north-west Scottish Highlands

Sarah Woodfin

7pm Monday 5th February 2024 Waterstones Glasgow, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW,7PM.

The charismatic red squirrel is threatened with extinction across the British Isles and Ireland. Habitat loss and the invasive grey squirrel and the fatal disease they spread, has seen reds reduced to only a few islands, northern Wales and England; with three quarters of the entire population restricted to Scotland. The Scottish highlands are the most secure stronghold, however red squirrels remain absent from much of the north-west highlands. Beginning in 2016, Trees for Life began successfully reintroducing red squirrels and have restored them to much of their former range with eleven new populations created. This talk will look at the threats facing the red squirrel, the reintroduction projects undertaken and challenges in the conservation of red squirrels.

Sarah Woodfin is the Red Squirrel Project Manager for Trees for Life. She has a background in small mammal conservation, with a BSc in Ecology and a MSc in Conservation. Past work has been with rabbits both in Scotland and Vietnam. Previously, she worked for four years with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels before moving to Trees for Life in March 2023.