1st February 2006

ANGLESEY SCHOOLCHILDREN’S RED SQUIRREL AWARD

A group of school children from the Cemaes Primary School in Anglesey are celebrating after winning two silver cups from the British Naturalist Association for their work with the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project.  

The cups were presented to the children by Professor David Bellamy at an awards ceremony held at Northampton University in November last year. One cup was awarded to Cemaes School and the other was given to the schoolchildren with their names engraved on it. 

Charles Dutton of the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI), said, “ESI is delighted to join others in congratulating the children of Cemaes School in this national award. It is fantastic to see young people taking ownership and being inspired by this local, national and international project.” 

The children became involved with the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project in September last year after reading that it was organising a fund-raising afternoon and hosting an all-Wales Red Squirrel Conference. The pupils attended both events and were inspired enough to plan their own project about Anglesey’s red squirrel population.  

After becoming the first Anglesey primary school to join the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project, the schoolchildren were assisted by group members, such as Chairman, Dr Raj Jones, to create a range of work, including diaries, book reviews, a nest box and a squirrel diet study.   

Mr Dutton commented, “Dr Jones, an international conservationist who lives on the island has secured a massive educational grant to help develop conservation in Anglesey schools. Raj believes passionately that sustainable conservation must be part and parcel of everyday life, and how we live and work in our communities – all must be balanced with local fauna and flora.” 

The schoolchildren at Cemaes also set about encouraging other primary schools on the island to join the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project and persuaded over half of the island’s 52 schools to become members.  

All of the schools now enjoy regular guided visits to local woodlands, quarterly newsletters, talks about squirrel and a red squirrel education pack. 

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the ESI by Kendalls. For more information, please contact Andrew Kendall, telephone 01394 610022.  Mobile:  07850 601354

NOTES TO EDITORS

The European Squirrel Initiative was founded in June 2002 by a group of concerned conservationists and foresters. The organisation seeks the restoration of the native Red Squirrel and the protection of the natural environment by removing the impact of the alien Grey Squirrel in Europe.

Its role is to

• Persuade conservation bodies and governments of the absolute necessity of ridding Europe of the Grey Squirrel.
• Continue to commission research into the impact of the Grey Squirrel on local ecosystems.