Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Return of the Pine Marten appeal
Bringing back our woodland wildlife
Pine martens were part of Devon’s woods for centuries, until persecution and habitat loss led to their disappearance in the 19th century.
Now Devon Wildlife Trust has a plan to return pine martens to Dartmoor and Exmoor. But we need your help to complete all the necessary community and ecological work before the first pine martens can be introduced.
A donation to this appeal – no matter how large or small – will take us a step closer to the return of a mammal that plays a key role in the life of our woodlands.
Return of the Pine Marten appeal
Terry Whittaker 2020/Vision
England is one of the most nature-depleted countries on earth. And recent Government announcements amount to further attacks on the natural world. All this means that, in addition to managing nature reserves and advising landowners and communities on improving land for wildlife, we need to re-introduce species that have been lost from our landscapes.
DWT was a national leader in returning the beaver. Now we want to return woodlands to a more natural state by bringing back pine martens.
The Two Moors Pine Marten project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust, along with partners National Trust, Woodland Trust and Dartmoor and Exmoor National Park Authorities. We have identified two areas where it’s biologically feasible to re-introduce these mammals: the woodlands of eastern Dartmoor and northern Exmoor.
Mark Hamblin
Pine martens can restore a healthy balance of predator-prey relationships in woodlands that have seen drastic wildlife declines in our lifetimes. But species re-introductions must be done with great care for the animals being translocated and for local populations of people and wildlife.
We have started working closely with communities on both moors to ensure a safe return for pine martens, exploring what it will be like for people and wildlife to share the countryside with this shy native mammal once more, and together tackling any challenges this may bring.
It’s essential that we complete detailed habitat and species surveys, so we can understand the impact pine martens might have and to confirm the best possible Dartmoor and Exmoor sites for the first releases.
Pine marten. Photo, Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
But we have less than two years to complete all this essential work before the target date in autumn 2024 to release the first pine martens on Dartmoor and Exmoor for 150 years.
Project partners have pledged £70,000 for this work – but the funds will only be released if DWT can raise at least £20,700 from this appeal. So, every £20 donation is worth almost £90 for pine martens.
Please help us return this unique mammal to Devon woodlands with a donation today – thank you.