Pine martens in the South West of England have begun to produce young and are 'doing well' since their recent reintroduction, say experts.
In autumn 2024, 15 pine martens were released at secret woodland locations on Dartmoor; while in autumn 2025 a further 19 animals were released at undisclosed spots on Exmoor. The reintroductions were the work of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust.
Pine martens had been missing from the region for more than 100 years after having been hunted and trapped to extinction. The animals are the size of a small cat and like to climb trees in search of food which includes wild fruits, mice, grey squirrels, and other small prey.
Tracking collars given to each animal before release have allowed the project to monitor their progress. Tracey Hamston is the Two Moors Pine Marten Project Lead. Tracey said:
"The collars have meant we can track the animals' movements. The results show that some pine martens stayed close to where they were released, but others travelled some distance, in a few cases more than 20 miles.
The Dartmoor pine martens seem now to have settled forming their own individual territories. Some of the Exmoor animals still seem to be mobile but we'd expect most to settle and establish a territory soon.
It's been amazing to see where the pine martens have travelled since their release. We can see that they've been thoroughly exploring the landscape before settling into their new woodland homes."
The pine martens' collars are designed to cease to function and drop off after six months. In their place the project is now seeking to track the animals' progress using remote cameras positioned in local woodlands.
Last July, one of these cameras recorded images of a female pine marten and her three kits (youngsters) as they moved through a Dartmoor woodland. This was the first proof that the animals had bred successfully.
Tracey Hamston said:
"This was the news we were waiting for – proof that the pine martens have established themselves and are doing well.
This year's kits should be being born on both Dartmoor and Exmoor around now. We hope to see evidence of this on our cameras when the kits become more active in May and June."
Abby Parravani is Forest Planner at Forestry England. Abby said:
"Forestry England is proud to be a partner in the Two Moors Pine Marten project. The encouraging results from collar tracking and camera trap monitoring are hugely rewarding for all involved in the project. As omnivores and predators, pine martens fulfil an important role in woodland ecosystems, helping to increase the resilience of forests, so we are thrilled that this native species is once again establishing in woodlands in the South West."
The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is now appealing to the public to help it keep tabs on the pine martens' whereabouts. It is asking anyone who sees a pine marten in the region to let them know where and when they spot them. The project would especially welcome photos or video of sightings. All records of pine marten encounters can be sent to a dedicated email address: pinemartens@devonwildlifetrust.org
The precise locations of the animals are being kept secret by the project to minimise disturbance.
The project is also keen to hear from woodland owners with wildlife cameras, especially those on or close to Dartmoor and Exmoor, who would be happy to take part in its Woodland Survey.
Ali North is the project's Exmoor Field Officer. Ali said:
"Pine martens are a highly mobile species and so they have kept us very busy trying to keep track of them.
We're excited to moving into the next phase of our monitoring using camera traps to catch a glimpse into their elusive woodland antics. We hope many landowners will want to get involved in our newly launched woodland citizen science survey to help us track their distribution over time."
A pioneering community tree project has surpassed its target of planting a quarter of a million trees in Devon.
Saving
Devon’s Treescapes was established in 2021 with the aim of restoring
huge losses of tree cover caused by the devastating
plant disease known as ash dieback. It targeted the replacement of
trees outside of woodlands – including hedges, individual trees and
orchards. It’s estimated that Devon will lose more than 80% of the many
thousands of ash trees, some more than 100 years
old.
Saving
Devon’s Treescapes was led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust on
behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum
and was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, One Tree
Planted, the Woodland Trust and other partners including Devon County
Council, East Devon Council and FWAG South West.
Farmland,
parks, gardens, school grounds and community spaces have all benefited
from the free trees distributed by the project.
All the young trees were native kinds including oaks, hazels, spindle
and hornbeam among many other species. Many of the saplings were grown
from wild seeds collected in Devon and grown in the project’s two
volunteer run tree nurseries – one at Broadclyst
in east Devon and the other at Meeth Quarry nature reserve in north
Devon.
Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project formally closes at the end of March after the completion of its funding, but it leaves behind
a legacy in the shape of more than 250,000 young trees which will grow to benefit people and wildlife for decades to come.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Michael Rogers has managed the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project during its last 18 months.
Michael said:
“I
have worked on landscape-scale conservation projects for nearly two
decades, from coastal
grasslands on the north coast of Scotland to the dunes of the
Carmarthenshire coast in south Wales – however it’s Saving Devon’s
Treescapes that has had the biggest impact on me personally and has
probably had the most impact on biodiversity too!
This
project has been an incredible success, nurturing and planting more
than 250,000 trees,
but the real impact will be in several years when those communities and
landowners who have been inspired by us to plant or grow their own
trees continue the work we started here. That is why this project will
have a lasting influence – one that is invaluable
in our constant efforts to preserve Devon’s habitats and the species
that depend on them for future generations.”
Saving Devon’s Treescapes has touched the lives of hundreds of people having worked with volunteers and communities in every
corner of the county.
Alongside
tree planting, the project coordinated citizen science projects
including an annual Devon Bat Survey and training
more than 250 people to record lichens across the countryside. These
projects have proved vital in providing important data about key
wildlife which have been impacted by the loss of ash trees.
The
project has also been able to show off its creative side. It staged
public art workshops and commissioned photographer
Robert Darch to create a unique photographic record of the landscapes
affected by ash dieback and their regeneration through the project (see
attached image).
Florence has been volunteering with Saving Devon’s Treescapes for the more than two years.
Florence described the impact of the project on her:
“Before volunteering at Saving Devon’s Treescapes’ Broadclyst tree nursery, I had little experience in the nature sector
and had never planted a tree in my life. Now I intend to make it my career!
At
the nursery, I’ve seen trees go from seed to sapling and have helped
them throughout. The nursery has provided the opportunity
for me to learn new skills, both from other volunteers and DWT staff.
I’ve met like-minded people, spent time outdoors, and cemented my career
ambitions: namely, to work at a tree nursery in aid of replenishing our
natural world with native tree species. I
have found that I truly enjoy every part of the process. Now I’m
excited to continue sowing, processing, and planting to aid nature’s recovery!”
A new report published today reveals that the South West of England could support a reintroduction of European wildcats after more than a 100-year absence from the area, marking a vital next step in helping to secure the future of the UK’s most critically endangered mammal.
The study finds that a sustainable population of wildcats could flourish in the South West and that 80% of people surveyed in the region were positive about their reintroduction.
The comprehensive two-year investigation, undertaken by the South West Wildcat Project – a partnership of organisations led by Devon Wildlife Trust which includes Forestry England and the Derek Gow Consultancy – concentrated its analysis on four main aspects of wildcat reintroduction: 1) impacts on people and communities; 2) impacts on other wildlife; 3) impacts on farming livestock and pets; and 4) the long-term sustainability of a wildcat population after reintroduction. The report’s full findings can be read at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/south-west-wildcat-project
European wildcats – historically also known as ‘woodcats’ – were once widespread in the South West, along with many other parts of England, Scotland and Wales. However, centuries of persecution, plus the loss and fragmentation of their favoured woodland and rough grassland habitats saw them disappear across much of their range. The South West’s last wildcats are thought to have survived until the mid-nineteenth century.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Cath Jeffs is South West Wildcat Project lead. Cath said:
“It’s exciting that this report suggests wildcats could be part of the region’s nature once again. The return of this critically endangered species would be another step in the restoration of our native wildlife and will help re-balance local ecosystems.
Wildcats were once a widespread part of our countryside and today they remain an important part of woodlands throughout continental Europe including Germany, France, Spain and Italy.
A lot of work remains to be done before the first wildcats could be released in the South West. Honest and open dialogue with stakeholders will be key to making sure the species and local communities could thrive alongside one another in the future.”
Today the UK’s only remaining wildcats live in the Highlands of Scotland. Despite being given protected status in 1988 wildcats are now classed as ‘critically endangered’ and at risk of extinction with as few as 115 individuals remaining in the wild. The Saving Wildcats project was established in 2020 to reinforce the animal’s numbers in Scotland.
In response to the animal’s precarious situation, previous preliminary research into restoring wildcats beyond their Scottish base by the Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) concluded that the South West may provide the best combination of conditions needed to re-establish the native animal in England.
The South West Wildcat Project was therefore established in 2023 to investigate the feasibility of a reintroduction to the region. Its report, published today, concludes:
The South West contains enough woodland cover connected by other suitable habitat to support a sustainable wildcat population. It highlights a well-connected landscape of habitat across mid Devon as potentially the most suitable for reintroductions to take place.
A significant majority of people in the South West expressed positive views towards wildcat reintroduction to their region. Two separate surveys were conducted by independent researchers at the University of Exeter. In one, 71% of 1,000 people (representative of the age and gender of the region’s population) liked the idea of wildcat return. In the other, 83% of 1,425 who responded to an online questionnaire expressed positivity towards wildcat reintroduction. The University of Exeter’s report can be viewed at www.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14283637
Wildcats pose no significant risk to existing endangered wildlife populations such as bats and dormice. Wildcat diets concentrate on widespread commonly found species, with 75% of their prey consisting of small mammals including voles, rats, wood mice and rabbits. Their presence would help ‘balance’ existing ecosystems by returning a missing predator which co-evolved alongside native wildlife.
Wildcats pose no threat to people, domestic pets or farming livestock such as lambs. Commercial and domestic poultry can be protected from wildcats with the same precautions deployed for existing predators such as foxes.
The report also identifies two areas which a future reintroduction project should address to ensure success:
Hybridisation (interbreeding) between wildcats and feral/domestic cats has become a recent issue for the existing wildcat populations in Scotland, threatening the genetic security of the species. The report concludes that, to succeed, a reintroduction project in the South West must address this by working with local communities and cat welfare organisations to support a neutering programme for feral/domestic cats in areas where wildcats will be present.
A future reintroduction project must also prioritise engagement with local communities and stakeholders. It should establish open and ongoing communication with those who have concerns about wildcats. It proposes a monitoring and management programme which will operate after reintroduction, addressing issues if and where they arise.
While there are no immediate plans to release wildcats, Devon Wildlife Trust and its partners are committed to developing plans for reintroduction. This includes securing funding to ensure the best chance of success.
Abby Parravani is Forest Planner at Forestry England. Abby said:
“Forestry England is proud to be a partner in the pioneering South West Wildcat Project. I’m thrilled that the feasibility report shows the suitability of South West England to reintroduce this missing native species, contributing to the restoration of ecosystems across this landscape.
We’re looking forward to the next phase of the project as we move one step closer to returning wildcats to the South West.”
Independent research into public attitudes towards wildcats and their reintroduction in the South West of England was undertaken by Dr Roger Auster, Lecturer in Environmental Social Science, based in the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste, University of Exeter. Roger said:
“From both in-person research with stakeholder representatives and public surveys, we found there to be broad support for the idea of wildcat reintroduction, yet with need to understand more about wildcats and the role they play in local ecosystems. With the meaningful involvement of stakeholders during planning, we conclude that wildcat reintroduction is socially viable."
Wildcat. Photo copyright Tom Mason (All Rights Reserved)
Wildcats. Photo copyright Tom Mason (All Rights Reserved)
👀👀👀
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Cath Jeffs will be giving an on-line talk ‘Wildcats: could the UK’s rarest mammal make a return to Devon?’ at 6pm on Thursday 4th December. To register for free go to www.devonwildlifetrust.org/events
A pioneering nature recovery project has reintroduced 19 pine
martens to Exmoor National Park — marking the official return of a native
species lost for over a century.
9 female and 10 male animals were released during September at
secret locations owned by the National Trust and Exmoor National Park Authority.
The releases mark the return of an animal which was once common locally, but which
was lost due to hunting and the decline of its favoured woodland habitat.
Pine martens are a native species and a woodland
dwelling animal. The size of a small cat, they belong to the weasel or mustelid
family. Their release is the work of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project and
supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is
a partnership between seven organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority,
Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England,
National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. Expert assistance has
been provided by the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
The pine martens were sourced from healthy wild
populations in the Highlands of Scotland. The reintroduction of pine martens has
been licensed by both NatureScot and Natural England. Although sporadic
sightings have been reported of pine martens in Exmoor over recent years, this
reintroduction is the first to be planned and officially licensed.
The reintroduction marks the culmination of 7 years of planning
by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project working with local volunteers, stakeholders
and communities. After undergoing careful health checks in Scotland, the pine
martens were driven more than 500 miles through the night in a specially
adapted, temperature-controlled vehicle. Altogether staff undertook five carefully
planned journeys, each one bringing a small number of pine martens with them.
On arrival in Exmoor the pine martens were housed separately in
specially constructed release pens, each containing a snug den box. There they
were allowed to acclimatise quietly to their new surroundings while being
provided with fresh food and water. After 3 days the door to each pen was
opened and the pine martens were able to slip into their new wild surroundings
in a series of magical moments captured on remote video cameras.
Each pine marten has been fitted with a radio collar
allowing project staff to follow their fortunes in coming months. The lightweight
handmade leather collars are designed to drop off the animals after 6-9 months.
The release of pine martens on Exmoor follows a similar successful
reintroduction of 15 animals (8 female and 7 male) by the Two Moors Pine Marten
Project on Dartmoor in autumn 2024. In the 12 months since, the Dartmoor population
has become established with the first births of kits being recorded in July
2025.
Similar successful
releases have also taken place in recent years in the Forest of Dean, Wales and
Cumbria. The expectation is that the Dartmoor and Exmoor pine marten
populations will expand gradually in coming years, eventually merging to
re-establish a stable population in the South West of England signalling
positive steps towards returning the native species to its former range.
Pine martens are solitary animals and live at low density,
preferring to form territories in and around woodlands. They are mainly
nocturnal and are shy, avoiding contact with humans.
The return of pine martens to Exmoor was deliberately timed so
that the animals could take advantage of the local abundance of wild autumn
fruits. Pine martens have a varied diet and at this time of year will consume
wild fruits, along with hunting for prey which includes small mammals such as voles,
mice and grey squirrels.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Tracey Hamston leads the Two Moors
Pine Marten Project. Tracey said:
“It’s wonderful to see pine martens living wild in Exmoor again.
These animals were once a key part of our thriving woodland wildlife, so it’s
good that they are back where they belong. It’s a positive sign that nature can
be restored. Our woodlands and their wildlife will benefit from their
presence.”
Stuart McLeod is Director of England -
London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Stuart said:
“This is a landmark moment — witnessing
the return of pine martens to Exmoor after more than a century is truly
inspiring. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re helping to restore a
native species to the landscapes it once called home. Reintroducing lost
wildlife is essential for building resilient ecosystems and driving nature’s
recovery. This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when
organisations unite with a shared vision.”
Ali Hawkins is Exmoor National Park
Authority’s Senior Ecologist. Ali said: “It’s just such a good news story to see
pine martens back on Exmoor. Historical
evidence shows that they used to be part of our woodland landscape and
reintroducing them will help bring back a natural balance that will benefit
many species”.
Simon Larkins is
National Trust General Manager, Somerset Coast & Countryside.
Simon said:
“The return of pine martens to Exmoor is a truly special
moment. When we first began exploring the idea of their reintroduction in 2018,
we hoped that one day these much-loved animals would find their way home. As a
keystone species, pine martens play a vital role in woodland ecosystems,
helping to create healthier habitats and supporting wider biodiversity. Their
presence is a powerful reminder that when we give nature space and opportunity,
recovery can happen.”
Lucie Bennett, Pine Martens Engagement Officer at Somerset
Wildlife at Somerset
Wildlife Trust. Lucie said:
"We're proud and
delighted to see pine martens returning to Somerset and to have played a part
in the national recovery strategy as this animal re-establishes its former
range. At a time when wildlife needs us more than ever and action is much needed,
it's fantastic to see recovery milestones met, like the return of this
important mammal in functioning British woodlands. We look forward to
monitoring the progression of the Exmoor animals, supporting woodland wildlife
and local communities as the pine martens move and expand their range."
Abigail Parravani is Forestry
England Forest Planner. Abigail said:
“This
release is a thrilling moment for Exmoor and a watershed moment for the pine
marten in the South West. It’s so exciting to support a project that is helping
nature recovery by bringing back a native species and we can’t wait to see this
population establishing in the landscape.”
Jack Hunt is Woodland Trust’s Assistant Site Manager (Devon).
Jack said:
"Following
the extensive surveying, planning and preparation that was required for the
Dartmoor release, it has been an amazing experience tracking the pine martens
and getting to know them over the course of their first year here in Devon.
Seeing the kits on camera was a huge highlight. The Exmoor release is a chance
to build on what we've learnt over the last year and establish a stable and
healthy population of this missing species in the South West."
The Exmoor reintroduction comes after a huge concerted effort
by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project and its local volunteers.
Key tasks have included:
surveying dozens of sites to
determine where best to release pine martens;
working with landowners, commercial
shoot owners and farmers;
constructing release pens,
monitoring the new arrivals and supplying them with food and water.
As well as continuing to track the progress of pine martens
released on Exmoor and Dartmoor, the Two Moors Pine Marten Project’s aim is to
engage hundreds of people from a wide range of communities across the South
West over the next two years. Opportunities to get involved with the project include:
Chances for people of all ages and backgrounds
to become citizen scientists and nature spotters – monitoring pine marten
behaviour and other woodland wildlife.
Woodland-themed, nature-based activities and
events in communities local to pine marten release sites.
Small grants for community-based projects that
will help nurture local woodland wildlife.
A free digital download pack focussed on pine
martens and woodlands, containing wildlife spotter sheets, self-guided
discovery trails and craft activities.
Advice
to woodland owners on how to manage their woodland to support a range of
wildlife which will include enhancing habitat for pine martens.
-------------
Pine marten - Photo credit Terry Whittaker 2020Vision
Anyone interested in finding out more about pine martens and the Two Moors Pine Marten Project are encouraged to go to: www.twomoorspinemartens.org
Exclusive footage shows first pine marten kits born to animals reintroduced in Devon by pioneering project
Conservationists
are celebrating the first births of pine martens to a pioneering
reintroduction project which has returned the species to the South West
of England after a 100-year absence.
15
pine martens, including 8 females and 7 males, were released at
undisclosed Dartmoor locations in autumn 2024. Now camera trap footage
has revealed the
first glimpses of kits, recorded at a secret site in June this year.
Two
films show the youngsters as they explore their new home. In one clip
we see three kits in a Dartmoor woodland chasing each other through
foliage and
up a bank before disappearing from sight. A second film shows the same
mother with two kits as they scamper along a fallen tree close to a
fast-running Dartmoor stream.
The
kits are among the first to be born wild in Devon for more than a
century. The small cat-sized animals were once common in the South West
but fell victim
to the loss of their favoured woodland habitat and to human
persecution.
The
animals have been brought back to the region thanks to the work of the
Two Moors Pine Marten Project which is a partnership of seven
organisations including
Dartmoor
National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park
Authority, Forestry England, National Trust,
Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. The project has been made
possible with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund
thanks to National Lottery players,
and with the expert help of the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
Devon Wildlife Trust's Tracey Hamston leads the Two Moors Pine Marten Project. She said:
"When
our volunteers discovered the footage of pine marten kits on one of our
trail cameras we were ecstatic. This is a historic moment for
the return of a native animal and for the future of the South West's
woodlands. To have breeding pine martens back after a century's absence
signals a positive step in nature's recovery. It's also testament to the
many hours work undertaken by the project
partnership and dozens of local volunteers."
Kerry White, Dartmoor National Park Authority Ecologist, said:
"Dartmoor National Park Authority is thrilled to have been involved in such a pioneering project, which
has brought together multiple organisations
to help return pine martens to the South West. We're delighted to see
footage of the kits exploring their new environment and look forward to
the positive impact their presence will have
on helping to re-address ecological balance in our woodlands."
Stuart McLeod, Director – London & South, The National Lottery Heritage Fund,
said:
"The
birth of the first pine marten kits in Devon in over a century marks a
truly historic moment for wildlife recovery. Thanks
to National Lottery players, we've been proud to support this
pioneering project to bring this elusive and charismatic species back to
our woodlands. It has brought together many organisations with one goal
in mind, to help nature's recovery. This milestone
is a testament to the power of long-term conservation, and the
resilience of nature when given the chance to thrive."
Jack Hunt, Woodland Trust Assistant Site Manager – Devon, said:
"Staff
and volunteers have been checking camera traps for several
months and over the past few weeks have been eagerly anticipating
seeing kits. This sighting is wonderful news. The work over many years
to restore and improve the condition of our woodlands, to support other
landowners to do the same and work in partnership
on this project has culminated in the return of the pine marten born in
its natural environment in Dartmoor, the first of many and the
beginning of the return of this missing species."
Loubna Tacey, National Trust, spokesperson, said:
"The
news of the birth of the first Devon wild pine marten
kits marks a significant milestone in the return of a long-lost native
species and signals a step forward in restoring the South West's special
woodlands. It shows that these elusive animals are settling in,
thriving, and beginning to weave themselves into
the fabric of our native woodlands. This is a hopeful sign for the
long-term resilience of our natural landscapes. As a partner to this
exciting project, we are delighted to welcome pine martens back and
hopefully, we will see kits emerging in the woodlands
next spring here on Exmoor."
Forest Planner at Forestry England, Abigail Parravani, said:
"Forestry
England has previously collaborated on successful pine marten releases,
so we know that the birth of the first kits following reintroduction
is always an exciting milestone for species recovery. I'm looking
forward to watching the Two Moors Pine Marten Project go from strength
to strength with the next planned releases on Exmoor this year."
"After
the years of research, planning and hard work from the project team to
deliver a successful
translocation, to now see the next generation of pine martens in the
South West is simply fantastic. What a beautiful sight to see healthy
kits moving through the woodlands of Dartmoor that they once again call
home. These kits will grow up to do wonderful
things as a part of our woodland ecosystem and mark a special moment in
history for nature recovery."
Evidence
that the Dartmoor released pine martens are now breeding follows months
of work by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project partnership
and its dedicated local volunteers. Since their release in September
2024 the team has spent hundreds of hours tracking the movements of the
15 pine martens, installing den boxes for them, and checking camera
traps to learn more about their whereabouts and
behaviour.
Female
pine martens usually give birth to 2 or 3 kits in spring. Youngsters
spend their first 7-8 weeks hidden in their dens before emerging
in early summer. They then stay with their mothers through autumn and
into winter, before becoming fully independent the following spring.
The
project's experts anticipate that the South West's population should
now grow gradually over coming years. Pine martens live at low
density and avoid human contact. Their nocturnal habits and elusive
nature mean sightings are likely to be rare.
However,
the Two Moors Pine Marten Project is keen to hear from anyone who does
come across one of the beautiful animals in Devon. People
can get in touch with their sightings via its website www.twomoorspinemartens.org
The
project is now preparing for a further release of animals in autumn
2025. The pine martens are to be sourced under licence from NatureScot
from healthy wild populations in Scotland. After rigorous health checks
by vets, the animals (likely to number around 20 in total) will be
released with landowner permissions at secret locations on Exmoor.
In
recent months the project team has been holding a series of
face-to-face and public meetings with dozens of local stakeholders,
explaining
about the releases and the part the native species will play in healthy
woodlands.
Two Moors Pine Marten Project Lead, Tracey Hamston said:
"We're
looking to build on the success of last year's releases of pine martens
on Dartmoor. Exmoor's woodlands are well-suited
to the animals. Their arrival in early autumn will coincide with the
local natural harvest of wild berries – food which pine martens love. In
a year's time we would hope to see the first kits appearing on Exmoor."
Anyone interested in finding out more about pine martens and the Two Moors Pine Marten Project should go to:
www.twomoorspinemartens.org
Pine Marten Kits. The above photos copyright Mark Hamblin2020VISION (All Rights Reserved)
Two Moors Pine Marten Project:
Devon Pine Marten kits video on YouTube- CLICK HERE
------------------------
About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That's why as the largest funder for the UK's heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
About Pine Martens Bounce Back: The Two Moors Pine Marten Project
Pine Martens Bounce Back: The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is reintroducing critically endangered pine martens to the South West of England, helping to restore natural balance to our much-loved woodlands and bringing back these fascinating wild creatures to the landscapes where they once thrived. The project also aims to help thousands of people to participate in activities which bring not only help to bring pine martens back, but which restore woodlands, and which grow conservation skills and confidence.
The project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven conservation organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. Young Devon and Space, Devon based youth charities, are supporting the project to involve young people from a range of backgrounds in project objectives. The project is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and with thanks to the National Lottery players. We are also grateful for the support of a number of generous donors and for the expert advice and guidance of Vincent Wildlife Trust.
.png "Two Moors Pine Marten Project. Photo copyright Mark Hamblin 2020Vision (All Rights Reserved)")
.jpg "Florence – a volunteer at Saving Devon’s Treescapes Broadclyst tree nursery. Photo copyright Robert Darch (All Rights Reserved)")
.jpg "Felling diseased ash trees at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Marsland nature reserve, north Devon. Photo copyright Robert Darch (All Rights Reserved)")
.jpg "First pine martens released in Exmoor National Park - Photo copyright Terry Whittaker 2020Vision (All Rights Reserved)")
