How you can get involved with Martens on the Move
Martens on the Move is a project as much about people as it is pine martens — and one where communities and people are essential to the monitoring and recovery of this native mammal. Together, we can uncover the mysteries of the pine marten as it continues to recover across Britain with the help of communities and individuals.
Read on to find out how you can get involved.
On the ground, the Martens on the Move Team is focusing efforts across 11 counties in Wales, Scotland and England – Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire, Powys, Ceredigion, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, Northumberland and Cumbria. Within these counties we have set up key areas known as Monitoring Hubs where individuals and groups can get involved.
Hosting a den box in your woodland
Do you own or manage woodland in one of the Monitoring Hubs areas? Could you host a den box on your land and provide a site for pine martens to rest and breed. Boxes are supplied, installed and monitored by the project team and volunteers – and you can get involved as much, or as little, as you like!
Joining a den box installation team
It takes a team to safely put a den box in a tree. You can support the project team in your local Monitoring Hub by learning to install den boxes in trees. Get involved and help provide a home for pine martens to rest and breed.
Monitoring for pine martens
Monitoring a den box or a bait station using trail cameras or looking for field signs can tell us a lot about pine marten populations and their breeding success. Can you help build the picture of pine marten recovery in your local area by setting up and monitoring trail cameras?
Sign up to volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know using our online form. We would love to hear from you.
Other ways to get involved
What to do if you have seen a pine marten
If you cross paths with a pine marten anywhere in Wales, Scotland and England you can report a sighting and become a citizen scientist – helping us to learn more about this animal.
Are you already monitoring pine martens?
If you are already monitoring pine martens with a trail camera, you can contact the team about contributing to the Marten Map – the National Pine Marten Monitoring Programme, email enquiries@vwt.org.uk or phone 01531 636441.
It is an offence to disturb any pine marten – please read the detailed guidance on how to monitor den boxes using the methods approved by the statutory nature conservation organisations in Wales, Scotland and England.
If you would like to build, host or monitor a pine marten den box outside the project area, please visit our Resources page for further information or contact us.
Laura Lawrance-Owen VWT's Volunteering and Community Engagement Officer