Red Squirrel Awareness Week
Start: October 5, 2026
End: October 11, 2026
Location: Across the UK
Red Squirrel Awareness Week is dedicated to increasing awareness of and action for the UK's endangered red squirrels and their conservation. Get involved with lots of online and in-person events being organised across the countries. This year's main theme is: How can red squirrels recover? Post, like and share social media images and stories using hashtags #RSAW2026 and #RedSquirrelAwarenessWeek
Red Squirrel Awareness Week, 05-11 October, is dedicated to increasing awareness of and action for UK red squirrels and their conservation. It takes place during Squirrel Awareness Month (October). The main and daily themes, and events for 2026 are listed below. Themes offer a guide for activities and communications, but please get involved in any way you wish.
Red Squirrel Awareness Week 2026 themes
Main theme: How can red squirrels recover?
Daily themes
= Monday: Red squirrels today
Current status, distribution, losses and gains, population changes, local/regional differences
= Tuesday: Understanding the threats
Grey squirrels, habitat loss/fragmentation, road mortality, other pressures
= Wednesday: Disease awareness
Squirrelpox & other diseases, symptoms, surveillance, reporting, biosecurity, outbreak response, prevention
= Thursday: Conservation solutions
Grey squirrel management, habitat management, pine martens, fertility control, monitoring/research
= Friday: Recovery in action
Success stories, recovering or stable populations, conservation partnerships, community projects, lessons learnt
= Saturday: Take action
Volunteer, report sightings, support local groups, responsible feeding/biosecurity, share communications
= Sunday: Celebrate & inspire
Photography, videos, art, stories, personal connections, hopes for the future
Hashtags: #RSAW2026 #RedSquirrelAwarenessWeek
The themes are for inspiration and suggestions rather than a prescribed programme. Use the overall theme, daily themes, or your own content according to what works best for you, your organisation or local group.
Webinars
Date tbc: UK Red Squirrel Conservation Update – UK Squirrel Accord – online – catch up on YouTube
Events
05-11 October: Great Scottish Squirrel Survey – Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels – Across Scotland
Email info@squirrelaccord.uk with any events you would like us to share.