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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.
Dr Stephanie Johnstone, Martens on the Move Project Manager at Vincent Wildlife Trust, said: “Martens on the Move is a new era for pine marten conservation in Britain, supporting and promoting the natural recovery of pine martens through community action.
“Men's Sheds in Wales and Scotland and the Houghton Project in England are getting underway with building 150 new den boxes that will be installed in key forest areas in each of the three nations. These den boxes will improve the habitat for pine martens, providing them with safe places to raise their young and over-winter. We have been delighted at the enthusiasm that so many have for pine marten conservation.”
