The pine marten Martes martes is a native woodland carnivore that once ranged widely across Britain. Following centuries of persecution and habitat loss, pine martens were lost from much of England and Wales, surviving mainly in parts of Scotland and Ireland.
Carefully planned conservation efforts have supported the recovery of pine martens in parts of Britain. Reintroduction and recovery projects have taken place in areas including Scotland, Wales, and south-west England, demonstrating that pine martens can successfully return to landscapes from which they were lost.
Cornwall contains extensive areas of suitable habitat, including connected woodland, hedgerow networks, and low levels of road density in some areas. This makes the county a strong candidate for future pine marten recovery.
Kernow Conservation’s Pine Marten Project focuses on practical, evidence-led conservation delivered in partnership with local landowners.
The primary aim of the project is to fund, install, and monitor pine marten den boxes across suitable landscapes in Cornwall. These den boxes provide secure resting and breeding sites and allow careful, non-invasive monitoring of pine marten presence and activity.
This work is supported through the use of camera traps, enabling us to gather robust ecological data while minimising disturbance to wildlife.
Our approach is guided by the principle that pine marten conservation in Cornwall must be:
Scientifically robust
Non-invasive and welfare-focused
Delivered in partnership with landowners
Beneficial for wider ecosystems
The Pine Marten Project has five core objectives:
1. Install and monitor pine marten den boxes
To purchase, place, and maintain den boxes in suitable woodland and connected habitats, providing safe structures for pine martens and supporting their use of the landscape.
2. Use camera traps to gather evidence
To monitor den box use and pine marten activity through camera trapping, building a reliable evidence base for conservation planning.
3. Work with landowners and communities
To collaborate closely with landowners to identify suitable locations, secure permissions, and ensure long-term stewardship of installed den boxes.
4. Support long-term pine marten recovery
To use collected data to inform responsible, landscape-scale conservation and wider nature recovery efforts in Cornwall.
5. Inspire, educate, entertain, and engage
To use social media and digital outreach to inspire interest, educate audiences, entertain, and build public support for pine marten conservation in Cornwall.
Pine martens play an important role in woodland ecosystems. As adaptable predators, they help maintain balanced wildlife communities and are increasingly recognised for their potential to contribute to natural regulation of invasive grey squirrels, benefiting native woodland birds and trees.
Their presence can also act as an indicator of healthy, well-connected habitats, highlighting landscapes that support a wide range of species.
Kernow Conservation’s long-term vision is a connected, wildlife-rich Cornwall, where native species are able to thrive alongside people.
The Pine Marten Project is part of a wider programme of work that seeks to restore ecological balance, improve habitat resilience, and support nature recovery across the county.
If you wish to help us by supporting the Pine Marten Project, you can donate to our Pine Marten Appeal or become one of our personal or business members.
For more direct support, engagement and a chance to align your brand at the front of our project and communications, you can sponsor this project. Get in touch to discuss.
Your contribution will play a vital role in our mission.
