Latest News from the IOW Red Squirrel Trust
Tractor Trimming and Blackberry Bounty at Howes Wood
This week’s Howes Wood update: Steve takes the tractor out to trim back the verges along the shared track, while other volunteers battle fast-growing brambles by hand, and the drought brings an unexpected early treat for the red squirrels.
It’s Here! Our HOT OFF THE PRESS 2027 Red Squirrel Calendar
Our 2027 Red Squirrel calendar has landed! Twelve months of stunning squirrel photography, £10 each, with every sale supporting our conservation work at Howes Wood and beyond. Limited print run — order yours before they’re gone.
Getting Around Howes Wood: Meet Our New “Road Signs”
Our volunteers have been putting up hand-made signposts around Howes Wood, each named after the person who helped create that path or clearing. Part practical, part playful, and a real help for monitoring plants and insects. Here are the first ones to go up, with more on the way.
Woodland Update: The Hide Takes Shape (and an Elm Mystery Solved!)
The wildlife hide at Howes Wood is finished (bar a floor and benches!), and we uncover the surprising story behind an unusually large elm tree spotted nearby
Woodland Update: Tackling the New Area
Our volunteer team has been tackling the dense new area at Howes Wood, felling dead trees and cutting paths through challenging terrain. No licence yet, plenty of gnats, but brilliant progress all round.
Woodland Update June 2026
It’s been a busy and rewarding time at Howes Wood. Steve and John have been fitting the waterproof roof to our new wildlife hide, a sturdy bridge now crosses the ditch, and the wild cherry and self-seeded hazel are flourishing. Down at the pond, the flag iris has produced its first flower and the arrival of water beetles tells us this new habitat has been given nature’s seal of approval.
Support the Island’s red squirrels AND get your business seen by the people who love them
Get your Isle of Wight business in front of a passionate local audience. Sponsor March, April, or September in our 2027 calendar and enjoy year-round exposure alongside the Island’s beloved red squirrels.
SPRING CAMPAIGN · GIVE AS YOU LIVE
Shop online at 6,000+ stores and raise free donations for the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust via Give As You Live. Plus earn a bonus donation before 31st May!
Western Red Cedar Harvest Complete – Red Squirrel Fencing Can Now Begin
Landscape Therapy has completed the planned Western Red Cedar extraction at our Isle of Wight woodland site. Fencing can now be finished, and we need creative crafters to help us raise funds. Find out how…
Jim the Squirrel: Paul Sivell’s Chainsaw Carving Born from Our Own Western Red Cedar
Master carver Paul Sivell has created something truly special from our own Western red cedar; a chainsaw-carved squirrel named Jim, in tribute to the foreman who oversaw the original tree planting back in the 1960s. We follow the carving process from pencil sketch to oiled finish, and invite your feedback of our possible woodland auction later in 2026, where everything on offer will be made from our own wood.
Buff-Tailed Bumblebees at Howes Wood | Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust
This spring at Howes Wood, we’ve been treated to a wonderful abundance of bee and insect species — including a starring appearance from Britain’s biggest bumblebee, the buff-tailed bumblebee. Watch our video clip and discover the fascinating world of this remarkable ‘nectar robber’, as we explore the rich and interconnected ecosystem thriving in our woodland.
2026 Calendar Sponsor Spotlight: April – Rachel Cobb Art
Wildlife artist Rachel Cobb Art joins us as our April Calendar Sponsor, celebrating Isle of Wight red squirrels through beautifully hand-painted artwork while supporting local conservation.
Isle of Wight Woodland Wildlife Spring Update
Rare narrow-leaved lungwort rediscovered, bluebells emerging, and a brimstone butterfly on the wing — a hopeful morning in the woodland with our conservation volunteers.
A Wood Awakening
Step inside a living woodland on the Isle of Wight as it stirs back into life, ancient bluebells multiplying, rare narrow-leaved lungwort emerging from the leaf litter, and a habitat being patiently restored for one of Britain’s most iconic species. The Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust shares an atmospheric behind-the-scenes diary from our partially-built hide, and introduces two ways for local businesses and sole traders to be part of our 2027 conservation calendar, showcasing the island’s finest wildlife photography. Month sponsorships from £150. Supporter squares from £30. Just 24 opportunities in total.
2026 Calendar Sponsor Spotlight: March – Beardsalls Print Services
Beardsalls, a family run Newport printing business established in 1901, is proudly supporting red squirrel conservation as a sponsor of the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust calendar.
A New Woodland Cabin Arrives
This week saw the successful delivery of a new woodland classroom cabin, carefully positioned amongst the trees with the help of a crane lorry and volunteers. The cabin will provide a dedicated space for meetings, education sessions and woodland work supporting the Isle of Wight’s red squirrels.
2027 Calendar Sponsorship
Become a 2027 Isle of Wight calendar sponsor and place your business in 500+ Island homes while supporting red squirrel conservation. Exclusive month sponsorships and supporter squares now available.
Wear Your Wild: Red Squirrel Badges Supporting Conservation on the Isle of Wight
Discover how a beautifully designed red squirrel pin badge is helping to fund vital conservation and feeding projects protecting red squirrels on the Isle of Wight.
2026 Calendar Sponsor Spotlight: February – Briddlesford Farm
Briddlesford Farm is one of the last remaining dairy farms on the Isle of Wight, producing Guernsey milk, cream, butter and artisan cheeses. Visit the farm shop and café in Wootton and discover why they proudly support red squirrel conservation.
New Fencing Work at Howes Wood | Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust
New fencing work is underway at Howes Wood, using Western red cedar cut on site to improve access, protect habitats and support red squirrel conservation.
2026 Calendar Sponsor Spotlight – January: Isle of Wight Bird Foods
Meet Isle of Wight Bird Foods, a local Isle of Wight business sponsoring our red squirrel calendar. Learn why they support conservation and Island wildlife.
January Woodland Work Update
From cutting new paths through dense undergrowth to clearing fallen and unhealthy trees, our January woodland work at Howes Wood is laying the foundations for a safer, healthier habitat for red squirrels.
Community Support Boosts Woodland Conservation on the Isle of Wight
Discover how Isle of Wight woodland conservation is supporting red squirrel habitats through community donations, volunteer effort and practical habitat improvements. From Rotary funding and donated tools to new woodland paths, secure storage and a developing pond, see how local support is making a real difference for wildlife and biodiversity.
Red Squirrels Spotted at Howes North | IOW Red Squirrel Trust
????️ Four Red Squirrels at Howes North – A Promising Start to the Breeding Season We’re delighted to share a wonderful series of camera trap photos taken at Howes North, showing not just one but four different red squirrels visiting our feeders! This new section of...