This is the press release which we put out when we suddenly found out that the Countryside Council for Wales were charging headlong towards extensive clear-felling of Newborough forest with only minimal public consultation. Thankfully they reviewed the process and have started a new and inclusive consultation Link to Consultation Pages

Government plans to remove large sections of Newborough forest were today condemned by the members of the community group 'The Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels'.

The Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission want to completely remove 240 acres of the coastal pine woodland at Newborough and then fell almost all the trees within a further 840 acres in order to create open sand dunes. The plans follow European legislation that demands the return of the area back into a large mobile sand dune system because that type of habitat is rare across Europe. Unfortunately such plans will lead to the loss of a woodland habitat that supports many locally rare creatures such as the Pine Crossbill, Siskin and the endangered red squirrel. It is also a popular recreational site and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Anglesey currently has the second largest colony of red squirrels in Wales after a local campaign in 1999 saved Pentreath forest from clear-felling. Last year conservationists introduced several pairs of squirrels into the larger Newborough forest where they have established and are breeding. The work had been held up as a national triumph, but local members of 'The Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels' now fear that this work will be sacrificed in order for Brussels to achieve an increase in the area of UK sand dune.

Dr Craig Shuttleworth, a local red squirrel expert, said, "We are deeply disappointed with the felling scheme, it is a bitter blow' he went on to say, "Newborough forest is one of the most popular recreational sites on Anglesey, it is a fantastic resource and it's wonderful wildlife already attracts significant numbers of tourists to the island."

Mr Martin Bailey, a founder member of the Friends Group said, "It would be a tragedy if this deforestation project goes ahead, the current plans completely ignore the needs of red squirrels."

In September 2004, Beaumaris is hosting the first 'Welsh Red Squirrel Conference" which will attract scientists from across the country. The event will raise the profile of the red squirrel and also help promote Anglesey, with its fantastic wildlife and countryside, as an attractive tourist destination.

Mrs Judith Moss, an organiser of the one-day event said, "We anticipate that several hundred people will attend the event, it will be a big boost to the profile of the island"

Ends

Issued by The Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels on 14th May 2004. For more information, please contact Martin Bailey on 01745 720733 or 07711839741.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels is a community group founded in 1999. Membership comprises landowners, conservationists and members of the public who all seek the restoration of the native Red Squirrel on Anglesey.

The role of the group is to:

1 Support the conservation of the red squirrel on Anglesey through community involvement and education.

2 Raise the profile of this endangered species in Wales.

3 Fund research that will help scientists better understand the ecology of red and grey squirrels.

See how the media picked up on the story ...