By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust has celebrated a successful red squirrel awareness week, with guided woodland walks, talks, and the launch of a new children’s club at Howes Wood, Ryde.
Visitors included trustees, volunteers, supporters, members of the Red Squirrel Forum, Wight Squirrel Project, Ramblers, and Wight Strollers, alongside winners of a public ballot for guided walks.
Although the squirrels remained largely out of sight, visitors learned more about the woodland and its native wildlife.
The week also marked the launch of the Red Tail Rangers children’s club, led by head ranger, Simon Craddock, with support from trustee, Sally Wiltshire, and chairman,
Nicholas Gurney-Champion. Woodland manager, Helen Butler, gave the young rangers a talk about the woodland and its squirrels.
A Trust spokesman said: “It was a wonderful week at Howes Wood. Our thanks go to our volunteer, woodland manager, Helen Butler, who gallantly led every single walk.”
The spokesman added that the young rangers were the next generation of red squirrel champions, and expressed hopes that the club would continue to grow.
The Trust is now encouraging Islanders to nominate, for a £5,000 award, through the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good special draw, supporting animal and wildlife charities.
Nominations close on Sunday, October 18, and can be submitted via iw.observer/benefact.
Mal Butler