Friends of the Lake District: Red Squirrel Conservation and Woodland Management The future of the Red Squirrel in the UK is the prime test or ‘indicator’ of how British society understands, accepts and deals with invasive species damage to the natural environment. The unchecked, exponential rise in the grey squirrel population is not only eliminating the native red squirrel from the UK but is also responsible for the increasing problem of ring-bark damage to trees. This damage, in addition to imported infections of native trees, is dissuading investment in tree planting which will further reduce the UK’s already lowest percentage of woodland cover compared to every other country in Europe. If the Government and people of the UK fail to solve this serious, but manageable, invasive species problem there is little prospect they can deal with more difficult invasive plant, aquatic and biological introductions now affecting the UK. History will not be sympathetic to such failure. Find out from the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group what is being done about the problem and how success can be achieved. Terrain and activity: Moderate- Uphill walking on rocky paths and grassy slopes. Timings: 10:00am - 2:00pm Location: Park in the A591 lay-by on the right hand side after you’ve gone past the Traveller’s Rest, Grasmere and Broadrayne Farm. All sessions are booked on a first come first served basis. Please bring: a picnic lunch & clothing/footwear for all weathers. (Please note there is no indoor backup venue so the sessions will go ahead in poor weather unless unreasonable or unsafe to do so) Workshop provider: Trevor Cooper - Grasmere Red Squirrel Group