Martens on the Move: long-term recovery for pine martens

A pine marten - a small brown furry mammal with prominent round ears, a long body and bushy tail - on a forest floor
A Scottish pine marten. Photo: Robert Cruickshanks.

National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million

Date awarded
Location
Ledbury South
Local Authority
Herefordshire, County of
Applicant
The Vincent Wildlife Trust
Award Given
£1279345
Over the next four years, the Martens on the Move project will work with local communities to improve the habitat for pine martens.

Established in 1975, Vincent Wildlife Trust is an independent charity and a leading mammal conservation organisation. Their work is contributing to the long-term survival of the pine marten, a critically endangered mammal in England and Wales.

Although once widespread, pine martens were almost extinct in the UK by the beginning of the 20th century. But thanks to the work of conservation organisations, populations have slowly made a comeback in parts of Scotland.

In the last 10 years this success has been repeated in parts of England and Wales thanks to Vincent Wildlife Trust’s Pine Marten Recovery Project and its partnership work on Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Pine Marten Project.

Building on this momentum, the Martens on the Move project will recruit and train volunteers to monitor pine martens as they move into new areas. A diverse range of community groups, landowners and organisations will be able to learn more about the species and play a role in their recovery.

A group of people listen to a speech in front of a wooden hut in a forest
The Welsh Pine Marten Haven at Wentwood Forest.

Dr Stephanie Johnstone, Martens on the Move Project Manager, said: “Vincent Wildlife Trust has launched the Welsh Pine Marten Haven at Wentwood Forest in partnership with Coed Cadw — Woodland Trust Wales and Natural Resources Wales.

“The launch event was a great success and guests enjoyed a guided walk along a nature trail with life-sized pine marten silhouettes hiding in the trees. The new wildlife hide was opened, with boards sharing a wealth of information for visitors to learn about pine martens and how to help them to thrive.”

Find out more about the Martens on the Move project and its three new Pine Marten Havens in Wales, England and Scotland.

You might also be interested in...

If you query is regarding our application portal, please contact our support team.