our community of snow athletes are united in the fight to protect our winters and the wildlife and cultures which depend on them.
Red squirrels
An iconic species of the native British woodland.
Red squirrels play an incredible role in the growth of forests, burying nuts and seeds in their winter caches only to forget where they left them and allowing seedlings to germinate.
These same seedlings grow into the 100 year-old oaks and pine that provide the canopies that these charismatic rodents inhabit.
Despite once being widespread across ancient Britain, devastating habitat loss and the arrival of the invasive American Grey squirrel has left the British Red squirrel population in peril.
Smaller and less aggressive than the non-native Greys, Red squirrels are also highly vulnerable to the Squirrel pox virus - a fatal disease carried by the Greys that only affects Red squirrels.
Reds have been completely lost from most of England and Wales, with Scotland the last remaining stronghold for the species.
Breeding and release projects have proven to be successful in areas where Grey squirrels are not present, however the threat of a Squirrel pox outbreak lingers constantly.
Could Pine martens help?
Although Pine martens prey on both Red and Grey squirrels, a study in 2020 showed that martens hunt Greys much more frequently, and exclusively prey upon Grey squirrels during the spring and summer.
It is thought that the Reds - who co-evolved with the martens - are better adapted to recognizing the scent of Pine Martens and the danger they pose.
What are we doing to help?
Since 2019, we have donated over £300 towards efforts to protect Red squirrel populations across the UK.
To support Red squirrels directly, head to treesforlife.org.uk to learn about their incredible work and breed and release programs.
Throughout the spring of 2023, 3% all sales on our store will be donated directly to the reintroduction of Eurasian lynx back into their native UK forests.