WATER voles are facing extinction in the North-East, according to wildlife charities in the region.
Naturally Native is a project being delivered between Durham, Northumberland and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to tackle the two major causes of water vole decline: habitat fragmentation and predation by the non-native American mink.
The programme will have a particular focus on reaching 14-25 year olds and those working in secondary education.
Kirsty Pollard, Naturally Native development manager, from Durham Wildlife Trust, said: “In recent years the water vole has suffered a dramatic decline in numbers and is now all but extinct in our region with only a few remaining strongholds.”
Karol Marketing, a regional PR agency, has been appointed to get the message across.
Founder Stefan Lepkowski said: “Without projects such as Naturally Native, natural habitats and species, such as the water vole will be lost from our countryside forever.”
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