Red squirrel project awarded over £550,000
The money will be used to support eight action groups who work to promote red squirrel conservation within their local areas.
Over £550,000 of funding has been awarded to the Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum as part of a UK-wide project aimed at reducing populations of grey squirrels.
Provided by the Heritage Lottery and EU Life Plus funds, the money has been welcomed by Northern Ireland's environment minister Mark H Durkan, who said that the funding is a "real boost for the work of the Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum."
He added that a reduction in grey squirrel numbers "is critical to the long term survival prospects of our native red squirrel population."
The money will be used to support eight action groups who work to promote red squirrel conservation within their local areas.
Mr Durkan added: "I have seen first-hand their important work which includes measures such as controlling grey squirrels, feeding red squirrels, fundraising and raising public awareness about red squirrel conservation.
"This also provides a great opportunity to enhance community engagement in this vital conservation work."
Red squirrels were once widespread throughout Ireland. Their decline has largely been blamed on the arrival of the non-native grey squirrel from North America in the early 20th Century.
The practice of culling grey squirrels has been taking place for over 10 years in some parts of Northern Ireland because the species carries smallpox, a disease that is fatal for red squirrels. They also outcompete their red releatives for food.
