Through its Pine Marten Recovery Project, Vincent Wildlife Trust has restored the native pine marten to mid-Wales. Over a period of three years, more than 50 martens were brought from Scotland, where they are thriving, to mid-Wales where they were on the brink of extinction.

Now, with £20,000 funding from Postcode Local Trust, a grant giving charity funded entirely by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Vincent Wildlife Trust is able to extend its work in informing local communities about the return of the pine marten to Wales. It will also be used by the Trust to seek volunteers to monitor the pine martens and their offspring.

A pine marten, translocated from Scotland, in a release pen prior to being released in mid-Wales. Photo: ©Nick Upton

VWT’s Dr Jenny MacPherson said “This funding from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery will make a big difference to our pine marten conservation work. This grant will fund a series of events that will include the provision of training for volunteers in the various techniques used to monitor pine martens. This is good news for people interested in helping to conserve the pine martens of mid-Wales and good news for the pine martens.”

If you would like to find out about becoming a pine marten volunteer and taking part in one of the training courses, please contact Josie Bridges at josiebridges@vwt.org.uk or on 07377 335229.