Red squirrels are already functionally extinct across most of England.
They survive in only a handful of woodland strongholds – and even there, their future is fragile. In many areas, it is only thanks to tireless local volunteers that reds remain at all.
But habitat destruction continues.
Ancient plantations known to support red squirrels are still being felled. Mitigation is inconsistent. Oversight is weak. Existing wildlife protections are too often ignored or unenforced.
This petition is not about rewriting policy from scratch. It is about enforcing the laws and safeguards that already exist – and ensuring woodland management genuinely prioritises biodiversity.
If we do not act now, we risk losing red squirrels from England altogether.
Please share this petition, especially within local red squirrel and conservation groups. The more informed and united we are, the harder we are to ignore.