Northern
Ireland
Squirrel
Forum
The Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum (NISF) was established to bring together statutory and non-statutory organisations as well as representatives of country parks and local volunteer organisations dedicated to protecting the red squirrel in Northern Ireland. The NISF is chaired by the Environment and Heritage Service, Northern Ireland and is currently made up with representatives from the following organisations:
- Belfast Zoo
- Colin Glen Forest Park
- Department for Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)
- Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) Forest Service Northern Ireland
- Lagan Valley Regional Park
- National Trust
- Quercus
- TC Dublin
- Ulster Wildlife Trust
- Woodland Trust
The NISF provides an opportunity for the members of the group to feedback details of news and population dynamics across Northern Ireland and exchange ideas, research details and best practice on how to help conserve red and control grey squirrels.
Ireland Action Plan
In 1999 the NISF developed a Northern Ireland Red Squirrel Action Plan, based on the UKRSG Species Action Plan, to cover the mains aims and appropriate targets for the various organisations involved in Northern Ireland. This covered the period from 1999-2004 and was published by the EHS. The NISF is now in discussion on the next phase of this and are hoping to work alongside the Republic of Ireland to create an All Ireland Red Squirrel Action Plan. A meeting was organised to allow interested parties get up to speed on the latest developments in red squirrel research and conservation. The meeting was held in NUI Galway, and funded by National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Republic of Ireland, see the record of the meeting below. The forum was addressed by experts from Ireland, Italy and the UK to explore the issues facing red squirrel conservation in Europe. Elements of the subsequent discussion sessions will be used to inform the proposed All Ireland Species Action Plan.
Red squirrel distribution in Northern Ireland
A recent report published on the EHS website details the findings of a distribution survey of squirrels within Northern Ireland. The relative distribution of red and grey squirrels in the areas of interface in the distribution of the two species was examined. For further details of this and other red squirrel issues in Northern Ireland please see the EHS website.