Dani Connor came to the village of Kalvträsk in Skellefteå from Great Britain four years ago. She was actually only going to photograph golden eagles, but due to the pandemic, the stay was much longer than planned.
And it was in the forest part of Kalvträsk that she opened her eyes to the red-furred creatures.
– In Great Britain, the red squirrels are rare. They are endangered. So to come to this forest and be surrounded by them was absolutely incredible, she says.
“People love them”
Today she lives in Kalvträsk and makes a living through her YouTube channel and her photography. And the followers are just as fascinated by the squirrels as she is.
– I hadn’t realized how much people love them, says Dani Connor.
When she heard that the neighbor, who owns the forest, was going to cut down the trees, she started negotiating to buy it from him.
– The squirrels have given me so much, so now I want to give something back.
Raised twice the amount of money needed
Dani published a video in which she said that she intends to raise money to buy the forest. The aim was to raise £25,000 and put the remaining amount out of pocket.
– In four and a half hours I received the entire sum and within six days I had received twice as much. I was completely shocked and did not expect it at all.
With the money left over, she plans to plant new trees in the part of the forest that has already been felled.
– I want to make sure that the forest is protected another 200 years after me.