National Pine Marten Monitoring Programme Marten Map
Distribution and recovery of pine martens across Britain
About Marten Map
Marten Map brings together records from across Britain to show the distribution and recovery of the pine marten. It is the main output of the National Pine Marten Monitoring Programme (NPMMP), combining data from a wide range of sources into a single, accessible national resource.
Launched by Vincent Wildlife Trust in November 2024, Marten Map provides an evolving picture of pine marten recovery - by 31 March 2026, more than 1,000 records had already been submitted by citizen scientists, highlighting the important contribution of volunteers and the public to monitoring this protected species.
Understanding pine marten recovery
Pine martens have been recovering in parts of Britain following historic declines. Understanding where they are, and how their populations are changing over time, is essential for effective conservation, which is where Marten Map comes in.
Marten Map brings together records from public sightings, structured monitoring schemes and from partner organisations, to create a single, national dataset.
By combining these records, Marten Map helps to reveal patterns of distribution, identify areas of recovery and highlight where further survey effort is needed. This national overview helps guide conservation action and monitor its effectiveness by recording the distribution of pine martens over time.
A collaborative effort
Marten Map is built on the contributions of a wide network of organisations, projects and individuals.
Data for the 2025 map has been shared by biological record centres, conservation organisations, local projects and recording groups, alongside independent contributors. These include national partners such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the Mammal Society and the National Trust, as well as many regional biological record centres, pine marten projects and volunteer groups.
Marten Map is a shared resource, and we are extremely grateful to all our Marten Map contributors whose collective effort makes this important resource possible.
Please note, Marten Map does not contain all of the available pine marten records in Britain and should not be relied upon solely as the definitive map of pine marten distribution in Britain.
Marten Map is a growing resource that becomes more valuable with every new record.
Marten Map Explorer allows you to explore the map in more detail and see whether pine martens have been recorded locally. Use the map tools to search a location, apply different geographical layers, and even take measurements.
All data included in Marten Map is carefully managed to support conservation while protecting the species.
Records are combined and displayed at an appropriate scale to show distribution patterns without revealing precise locations. This ensures that sensitive information is safeguarded, while still allowing the data to support research, education and conservation planning.
The dataset also contributes to wider biodiversity initiatives, helping to improve understanding of species recovery across Britain.
Are you monitoring a den box or bait station?
Contribute your monitoring data to the National Pine Marten Monitoring Programme and get your martens on the map!
Photo: ©David Baird