Aims
To raise public awareness about the threats to the red squirrel population in our area.

To enable red squirrels to thrive in Cumbria by working with our members, the local community and other groups towards eliminating the threats to their survival.

Members, volunteers and contacts
Our strength is in our growing network of members, volunteers and contacts spread throughout the area of Cumbria that we cover. This means that we can monitor the squirrel population over a large area and respond quickly to issues on the ground.

We would like to extend a very warm welcome both to new members and to anyone who can spare some time to become more involved with our work. This includes all those who have a trap in their garden and also those who undertake trapping, shooting and recording on our behalf. As WRSS continues to expand, we would like to hear from anyone who can spare some time to help with any of our administrative tasks such as fundraising and publicity.

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Contact us>> to arrange a speaker for your group

Our administration costs are kept to an absolute minimum and all administrative work is performed by volunteers. Most of our spending is on promotional material for raising awareness, and towards meeting the costs for grey control.

We received grant funding in 2010 which enabled us to take a more strategic approach to grey control, focusing on three zones where there are known populations of red squirrels, whilst still continuing with our normal level of activity across our area as a whole.

Unfortunately we were not awarded a continuation of this particular funding for 2011, but we are maintaining the strategic approach using our own funds (from membership fees and donations) and a grant from Cumbria Community Foundation (see below).

WRSS will continue to apply for grant funding where possible, and has just become a registered charity which will enable the use of charity collection boxes and the benefits of Gift Aid.

Associates
WRSS is a member of the umbrella group Northern Red Squirrels, which unites over 30 red squirrel volunteer groups across the North of England. Northern Red Squirrels has two places on the Project Advisory Group for the recently launched Red Squirrels Northern England project, giving volunteer red squirrel groups an important voice in red squirrel conservation across the region.

WRSS works with landowners in the area, including the National Trust and Forestry Commission, with other nearby red squirrel groups and with bodies such as the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, Natural England, the Lake District National Park Authority, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and now Red Squirrels Northern England.

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Events
WRSS exhibits at local events such as Damson Day, Country Fest and the Westmorland County Show to raise public awareness about red squirrels, to meet the public and to answer their questions.

See details and dates>>

Recent donations
Our thanks go to the Arran Brewery for their contribution towards our captive breeding programme, and also to Skelwith Parish Council for their kind donation. We were delighted that the pupils of Langdale C of E Primary School decided that WRSS would be the beneficiary of the funds raised at their recent Open Day. It is very encouraging to hear that our red squirrels are valued by the latest generation of young people and we hope they will continue their interest and will soon be reporting their red squirrel sightings to us via our website.

Corporate members and sponsors
WRSS thanks its corporate members and sponsors for their continuing support which is very much appreciated:

Westmorland County Agricultural Society
I Whittaker Décor Service
Whitestiles Filling Station
Bluefin Insurance
Natwest
Pestforce South Lakes
TH Wiggans Ironmonger
Glen Rothay Hotel/ Badger Bar
Builders Supply, Kendal
J2 Connection Ltd
Mealbank Properties
Howden’s Joinery
Sun Hotel, Troutbeck Bridge
Betty Fold Gallery
Ambleside Tree Services
Mark Gomersall AGA Services
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

Cumbria Community Foundation
WRSS has been successful in its application to the Cumbria Community Foundation for grant aid. This funding is towards volunteer costs for our 2011 project. WRSS would like to thank all concerned at the Foundation.