East Devon

Squirrel Project

East Devon Squirrel Project

East Devon

Squirrel Project

East Devon Squirrel Project

Who We Are

The East Devon Squirrel Project is a conservation project led by Red Squirrel South West, with support from East Devon National Landscape and the Postcode Green Trust.

We are working to build a network of landowners, land managers, volunteers, conservation organisations and local communities across East Devon. By bringing people together and sharing knowledge, we aim to support healthier woodlands and native wildlife through more coordinated approaches to Grey Squirrel management.

The project is currently in its early stages. We are building the local network, finding out where Grey Squirrel management is already taking place, sharing experiences and identifying opportunities for neighbouring landowners and communities to work together.

By connecting people and encouraging collaboration across land ownership boundaries, we hope to develop a more joined-up approach that can deliver greater benefits for East Devon’s woodlands and wildlife.

Who We Are

The East Devon Squirrel Project is a conservation project led by Red Squirrel South West, with support from East Devon National Landscape and the Postcode Green Trust.

We are working to build a network of landowners, land managers, volunteers, conservation organisations and local communities across East Devon. By bringing people together and sharing knowledge, we aim to support healthier woodlands and native wildlife through more coordinated approaches to Grey Squirrel management.

The project is currently in its early stages. We are building the local network, finding out where Grey Squirrel management is already taking place, sharing experiences and identifying opportunities for neighbouring landowners and communities to work together.

By connecting people and encouraging collaboration across land ownership boundaries, we hope to develop a more joined-up approach that can deliver greater benefits for East Devon’s woodlands and wildlife.

Why East Devon?

One of our ambitions as a charity is to build a working network of grey squirrel control across the South West peninsula that can continue long after individual projects or funding have ended. As a small charity, we need to build this network from the ground up.

We already have some established relationships in East Devon, and its position on the eastern edge of the South West makes it a natural place to start. As the project develops, and as funding allows, we hope to expand across Devon and connect with the existing Cornwall Squirrel Project.

East Devon is home to a diverse and valuable network of woodland habitats, from ancient and established native broadleaf woodland to newly planted trees. Together, these habitats support a wide range of wildlife and are an important part of the area’s landscape and ecological health.

Protecting these habitats from the damage caused by grey squirrels is essential for their long-term health and resilience, and for the wildlife they support. By building a local network of landowners, volunteers and others involved in squirrel management, we can coordinate efforts and work together to protect these valuable habitats.

Building The Network – What We’re Doing Now

The East Devon Squirrel Project is currently in its early stages. Our priority is to build contacts and gather information for our map.

We are developing a project map to plot the locations of landowners, volunteers and other contacts involved in grey squirrel management, as well as networks of woodlands. This map will help us connect people and identify priority areas where we can then contact landowners to help them get started with grey squirrel management on their land.

If you manage land where grey squirrel management is already taking place, or where it is needed, and would like to be included on our map, CLICK HERE to complete our questionnaire. Your information will remain confidential and the map will never be published.

Training & Skills

Developing local skills and knowledge will be an important part of the project. We will be providing opportunities for local people to develop their understanding and practical skills in Grey Squirrel management. We hope to sponsor a number of LANTRA-accredited Grey Squirrel Management Training courses in East Devon as the project develops. Details of training opportunities will be added to this page and to our Events & Training page as they are confirmed.

We Need You!

Effective Grey Squirrel management is most useful when people work together. The East Devon Squirrel Project is therefore focused on building connections between people and organisations across the area.

We want to hear from:

  • Woodland owners and landowners
  • Farmers and land managers
  • People with experience of Grey Squirrel management
  • Volunteers interested in supporting the project
  • Conservation organisations and local groups
  • Local communities and others who want to help protect East Devon’s woodlands

As the network develops, we will be able to identify opportunities to connect people working in nearby areas and support more coordinated management.

We Need You!

Grey Squirrel management is most effective when people work together. The East Devon Squirrel Project wants to build connections between people and organisations across the area.

We want to hear from:

  • Woodland owners and landowners
  • Farmers and land managers
  • People with experience of Grey Squirrel management
  • Volunteers interested in supporting the project
  • Conservation organisations and local groups
  • Local communities and others who want to help protect East Devon’s woodlands

As the network develops, we will be able to identify opportunities to connect people working in nearby areas and support more coordinated management.