When & How to Celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day – Fun Ideas

Every year, on January 21st, we bring up our furry companions in a special celebration known as Squirrel Appreciation Day. It was established in 2001 by Christy Hargrove, a wildlife rehabilitator in North Carolina. The day’s purpose is to appreciate and recognize squirrels’ vital role in our environment. There are various ways to celebrate this day, from planting trees to organizing learning experiences. So, let’s all join in on the celebration of Squirrel Appreciation Day.

The History of Squirrel Appreciation Day

Squirrel Appreciation Day is a holiday celebrated on the 21st of January each year. The holiday was created in 2001 by Christy Hargrove, a wildlife rehabilitator from Asheville, North Carolina. Hargrove was inspired to create the holiday after recognizing the importance of squirrels in our urban and natural ecosystems.

North Carolina officially recognized the holiday in 2002. Since then, it has grown as a popular event celebrated worldwide. It includes activities such as tree plantings, educational events, and even unique Squirrel Appreciation Day cards.

When is National Squirrel Appreciation Day?

Squirrel Appreciation Day is an annual event celebrated on January 21st each year.

What is the Purpose of Squirrel Appreciation Day?

The holiday brings attention to the vital role squirrels play in our natural environment. It also encourages people to appreciate and protect these animals and their habitats.

Squirrel Appreciation Day is meant to celebrate all species of squirrels, including the thirteen species found in North America. This includes:

• Eastern Gray Squirrel
• Red Squirrel
• Fox Squirrel
• Southern Flying Squirrel
• Northern Flying Squirrel
• Douglas Squirrel
• American Red Squirrel
• Abert’s Squirrel
• Arizona Gray Squirrel
• California Ground Squirrel
• Mexican Ground Squirrel
• Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
• Arctic Ground Squirrel

Why Are Squirrels Essential to our Ecosystem?

• Help spread seeds and spores, which help ensure healthy ecosystems.
• Control insect populations by eating them, which helps keep the balance of the food chain.
• Create and maintain habitat areas for other wildlife species.
• Aerate and fertilize the soil, which helps to promote plant growth.
• Important prey for many predators, which helps keep their populations balanced.
• They provide food sources for other animals, such as birds, that depend on them for sustenance.

Squirrel Appreciation Day Meme

One way to show appreciation for these furry little animals is by sharing memes on social media. A Squirrel Appreciation Day meme typically features an image of a cute squirrel in some form of humorous activity.

Interesting Facts about Squirrels

Squirrels are small rodents native to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa. They are widely distributed in forests, grasslands, and urban parks. Although they are known for their intelligence, agility, and playful behavior, there is much more to these creatures than meets the eye. Here are a few interesting facts about squirrels:

• Have excellent vision and are capable of seeing colors
• Rely heavily on their sense of smell and can detect pheromones
• Can rotate their ankles 180 degrees to descend a tree head-first
• Have the ability to leap up to six feet in a single bound

Squirrels also possess unique adaptations that allow them to survive in many climates and habitats. All of these qualities make them fascinating to observe and appreciate.

Squirrel Appreciation Day Activities

Celebrating Squirrel Appreciation Day can be a fun and exciting way to show appreciation for these furry critters. Here are 21 activities you can do to celebrate:

Nature Activities

• Go on a squirrel-spotting walk. Head to your local park or green space and see how many squirrels you can spot! Consider using binoculars to view the squirrels and their activities better.

• Create a bird feeder specifically for squirrels. Hang it up in your backyard and fill it with treats that squirrels love, such as nuts, seeds, fruit, or other items they enjoy. Make sure to place the feeders in an area where squirrels can easily access the food without being harassed by predators.

• Plant a squirrel-friendly garden. Choose plants that attract and provide food for squirrels. These could include acorns, walnuts, and sunflowers.

Community-Based Activities

• Visit a squirrel or wildlife sanctuary. If you have one nearby, visit the sanctuary and learn more about squirrels and their essential role in our ecosystem.

• Take part in a squirrel census. Ask your local wildlife organization or park if they need help counting the number of squirrels in the area.

• Organize a community or school event to celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day. This could include outdoor activities such as a scavenger hunt for squirrels, coloring pages, or an art contest where participants create squirrel-themed pieces.

• Participate in a local cleanup event to help keep the squirrels’ environment safe and healthy.

• Participate in a local event or activity that celebrates Squirrel Appreciation Day.

Share Photos

• Take photos or videos of squirrels in their natural habitat and share them with friends and family.

• Share your appreciation online. Post pictures of squirrels on social media and use the hashtag #KittyCitySquirrelAppreciationDay to spread the word!

Fun with Friends

• Host a movie night or game night with friends and family. Have a blast playing “Chompin Charlie.” Or, watch one of our favorite 30-minute squirrel documentaries for free!

• Organize an agility competition mimicking squirrel movements and behaviors.

• Have a nut-gathering competition

• Dress up in costume and attempt to set the world record for the most people dressed as squirrels gathering in one spot

Reading Activities

• Research different species and the lifespan of squirrels and educate others about them.

• Read about a community that loves squirrels so much that they built bridges for them to cross the street safely.

• Learn more about squirrels and their behavior by selecting a short read from the Kitty City Squirrels blog page.

• Become a part of the VIP Squirrel Community and get a free subscription to the Squirrel Scoop Insider.

Acts of Kindness

• Ensure that any cats or dogs in your home are appropriately supervised when outside to ensure the safety of squirrels.

• Consider donating to a wildlife rehab center or an organization that safeguards squirrels and their natural environment. We have several reliable sources that would appreciate your support. Kitty City Squirrels has no connection to any of these sources. If you’d like more information, please get in touch with us.

Get creative and come up with your own way to show your appreciation for squirrels! Share your idea to get your name and idea listed in this article. Use the comment section below or email us.

Ways You Can Help Squirrels

On Squirrel Appreciation Day, there are several ways to help squirrels.

• Plant native trees, such as oaks and maples, which provide food and shelter for squirrels.
• Avoid using any form of pesticides that can be hazardous to squirrels and other wildlife.
• Additionally, create an outdoor area that is free from any animal predators. This includes keeping cats and dogs away from the area.
• Create a feeding station where you can provide nuts, seeds, and fruits.
• If you have a bird feeder, be sure to leave some of the seeds on the ground so squirrels can also access them.
• Provide nesting boxes or houses with a critter guard for squirrels to live in.
• Put out unique squirrel feeder tables
• Leave out small squares of fleece material or baseball-size tufts of fiberfill material to provide warmth for adults and babies in their nesting box or nest.

By doing these simple things, you can make a difference in the lives of squirrels on Squirrel Appreciation Day and every day!

Read About Your Squirrel Friends

Crack open a book if you’re looking for something to read. Adults can find pleasure in Squirrels at My Window by Grace Marmor Spruch.

Kids will love snuggling up for Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin, The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel by Thornton W. Burgess, and Bright-Eyes, Bushy-Tail, and the Nutty Narrows Bridge by Donna Howard.

Happy National Squirrel Appreciation Day

There are many ways to show your appreciation for squirrels on National Squirrel Appreciation Day. You can learn about their history, interesting facts, and ways to help them. There are also many fun activities you can do to celebrate squirrels. And, of course, you can always treat your squirrel friends to a delicious snack.

So there you have it; Happy National Squirrel Appreciation Day!