Red squirrel project opens £250k community grant
The Red Squirrel Recovery Network is inviting conservation groups to apply for grants from a £250,000 fund to support local projects. The scheme aims to involve people from different backgrounds in protecting red squirrels and reconnecting communities with nature.
Grants range from £500 for smaller activities to £5,000 for wider-reaching ideas. The network, launched in 2025 and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, works across northern England and southern Scotland; Britain’s red squirrel population is estimated at about 287,000. Grey squirrels, which can spread a virus fatal to red squirrels, habitat loss and weak enforcement of protections are among the threats.
- Red squirrel groups can apply for grants from a £250,000 fund.
- Awards range from £500 to £5,000.
- Britain’s red squirrel population is estimated at 287,000.
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Red squirrels are native to Britain, but their population has declined significantly over the past century. Today, approximately 287,000 remain in the wild, primarily in Scotland and northern England. Conservation of this species has become an important priority for wildlife organisations and communities.
The main threat to red squirrels comes from grey squirrels, which were introduced from North America and now outnumber reds substantially. Grey squirrels carry a virus that is fatal to red squirrels, and they also compete for food and living space. Habitat loss and weak enforcement of wildlife protections have added to these pressures.
The Red Squirrel Recovery Network, launched in 2025 and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, operates across northern England and southern Scotland to help reverse these trends. The network works with local conservation groups to develop community-based projects that protect red squirrels and reconnect people with nature. As part of this work, it offers grants of between £500 and £5,000 to support grassroots conservation initiatives.