Pine marten conservation

Shy and elusive, pine martens are slowly making a comeback across Britain, with Wildlife Trusts reintroducing these wonderful little mammals in England.

What are pine martens?

Pine martens live in woodlands, and are largely arboreal, meaning they live in trees. They sit in the middle of the food chain (‘Meso’ predators), so they are both predator and predated upon.

Although they are classed as carnivores, they are opportunistic and adaptable. They have a highly varied diet depending on the season including nuts, fruits, invertebrates, birds, insects, small rodents, amphibians, reptiles and fungi!

Why are pine martens important?

Due to their versatile, adaptive nature and varied diet, pine martens play a key role in supporting a natural balance of plants and animals in woodlands and forests and have an important role in the food chain. Some studies have also shown that where pine marten are present, grey squirrel populations have declined which has supported our native red squirrel populations.

Why are pine martens at risk?

Pine martens were once prolific across Britain. In fact, during the Mesolithic era they were thought to be our second most common carnivore after the weasel.

However, from the 1700s, woodland clearance, trapping for their fur and persecution as a ‘nuisance’ predator caused a dramatic decline in their population.

By the early 1900s, pine marten populations were mostly absent from huge areas of Britain. Remaining populations were largely confined to north west Scotland.

The Wildlife Trusts are bringing pine martens back

Pine martens are classed as critically endangered in England and Wales and received full legal protection in 1988.

Whilst pine martens are expanding their range naturally in Scotland and Ireland, they are still scarce in England and need our help.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

Between 2019 and 2021, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, working in partnership with other organisations, successfully reintroduced 35 pine martens to the Forest of Dean to help establish a resilient pine marten population in the south-west of England.

More about Gloucestershire's pine martens

Devon Wildlife Trust

In Autumn 2024, Devon Wildlife Trust working with local partners successfully reintroduced 15 pine martens on Dartmoor. This was followed in Autumn 2025 by a further successful reintroduction of 19 pine martens on Exmoor as part of the Two Moors pine marten project.

Project experts anticipate that the South West’s population should now grow gradually over coming years!

Upcoming Wildlife Trust projects

Kent Wildlife Trust, in partnership with others including Sussex Wildlife Trust, are exploring the feasibility of reintroducing pine martens to the south east as part of the South East Pine Marten Restoration Project.

And, as part of the Derwent Living Forest programme, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust also has an ambition to reintroduce pine marten by 2030.

Several other Wildlife Trusts are also working with partners and landowners to improve habitat for pine martens supporting natural recolonisation