Red Squirrel

Recipients of the gift will receive a picture of their dormouse or red squirrel from Dorset Wildlife Trust, along with an information pack about their adopted species and assorted wildlife goodies.

The money raised is being used by Dorset Wildlife Trust for their conservation work supporting these scarce native mammals in the county.
Around 200 red squirrels survive in the protective safety of Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour. Brownsea Island is owned by the National Trust and part of the island is leased to Dorset Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve.

This site is one of only two where red squirrels remain in southern England and Dorset Wildlife Trust is undertaking a habitat management plan to ensure that the surviving population lives in optimum conditions, with the best food sources available for the future.

Dormice, unlike in many other counties, seem to be doing well in Dorset, surviving in habitats they are not traditionally associated with. However, because they are nocturnal and sleep for much of the year, very little is known about them. Dorset Wildlife Trust is trying to identify which habitats they prefer so that habitat conservation work can be undertaken to support their survival in the county.

To adopt a Dorset dormouse or red squirrel please contact Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620 before the end of Monday 12 February.
So show your love for someone and for Dorset’s wildlife this Valentine’s Day and adopt a Dorset dormouse or red squirrel today.

Dorset Wildlife Trust was founded in 1961 to protect the wild life and natural habitats of the county and now has over 23,000 members. One of its main activities is to acquire and manage nature reserves and it now has 40 reserves throughout Dorset. Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill, Brownsea Island Nature Reserve, Purbeck Marine Nature Reserve, Lorton Meadows and Kingcombe Meadows.

Many of the images on the visitor centre display boards have been supplied by WildaboutKent.