In the autumn of 1995, Lancashire Wildlife Trust was one of the founding partners of Red Alert North West, a pioneering campaign to protect the last red squirrels across Lancashire, Merseyside, and Greater Manchester.

Lapwing introduced readers to the project’s brand-new Red Squirrel Officer, Lucy Ward, whose role she described as “threefold”:

“Raising awareness of the red squirrel’s plight”

“Setting up monitoring to assess woodland populations”

“Advising woodland owners on habitat management and supplementary feeding”

The article stressed how communities could get involved, encouraging people to report sightings and take part in Red Squirrel Week, then a major event across the region.

It was a clear call to arms: everyone — volunteers, landowners, and local supporters — had a part to play.

Fast-forward to 2025, and that early vision is still very much alive. Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s dedicated Red Squirrel Officers now continue the work that Lucy and her colleagues began — surveying woodlands, managing grey squirrels, and working with communities to protect the reds that remain.

But today, the work is even more ambitious. As part of the Red Squirrel Recovery Network, the Trust is joining forces with partners across Northern England and Southern Scotland to secure a future for red squirrels on a landscape scale. Together, we’re gathering vital data, supporting over 50 volunteer groups, and building a foundation for long-term recovery.

Reading back through Lapwing’s 1995 article, it’s striking how much has changed — and how much has stayed the same. The challenges posed by grey squirrels remain, but so too does the determination of staff, volunteers, and supporters.

From Lucy Ward’s pioneering role in the mid-90s, to the hands-on care of Houdini in 2025, red squirrel conservation in the North West has always been a story of people working together to protect one of Britain’s most iconic mammals.

And just as it was in 1995, your support continues to make that story possible.