What is the Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum (NISF)?
The Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum (NISF) was established to bring together statutory and non-statutory organisations as well as representatives of country parks, private landowners and local volunteer organizations dedicated to protecting the red squirrel in Northern Ireland.
Forum membership
The NISF provides an opportunity for the members of the group to feedback details of news, exchange ideas, new research findings, best practice on how to help conserve red and control grey squirrels. The NISF was a key driving force for Northern Ireland’s involvement in the Red Squirrels United project.
The NISF is chaired by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and has representation from:
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) - Countryside Management
- DAERA - Forest Service
- Local Authority Biodiversity Officers
- The National Trust
- Ulster Wildlife
- The Mourne Heritage Trust
- Belfast Zoo
- Queens University Belfast
- The University of Ireland (Galway)
- The Strangford and Lecale Partnership
- Abercorn Estates Ltd
- Shanescastle Estate Company Ltd
- Montalto Estate
- Mourne Park Estate
- Scottish Woodlands Ltd
- The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC)
- The Scottish Association for Country Sports (SACS)
- The local squirrel groups
The Red Squirrel Conservation Strategy for Northern Ireland
As part of the 2015-2020 Red Squirrels United project a Red Squirrel Conservation Strategy for Northern Ireland was delivered by Ulster Wildlife in collaboration with many forum partners. It highlights the recent successes and the future challenges which lie ahead for red squirrels in Northern Ireland.
The detailed strategy is available to download from the Ulster Wildlife website, here.