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VWT launches its Pine Marten Haven sites this summer

Cutting the ribbon to launch the first of VWT's Martens on the Move Pine Marten Haven sites.

VWT has been busy launching its Martens on the Move Pine Marten Haven sites during the summer of 2025 in partnership with Forestry and Land Scotland at Kirroughtree and National Trust at Wallington. The final launch is in partnership with Coed Cymru (Woodland Trust Wales) and will take place on Saturday 6 September at Wentwood, near Newport, South Wales.

In July, we officially opened two of the three Haven sites — one at Kirroughtree in Dumfries and Galloway (in partnership with Forestry and Land Scotland) and the other at Wallington in Northumberland (in partnership with National Trust).

The Martens on the Move project aims to increase knowledge and understanding of pine martens amongst local communities and help build a greater emotional connection to the species. To achieve this, VWT and its project partners have been working hard to create new Pine Marten Havens, which include new wildlife viewing facilities and pine marten-focused information boards. This will enable local, regional and national visitors to learn about the species and its conservation while also enjoying time out in beautiful locations.

Guided walk at the first Pine Marten Haven site at Kirroughtree in partnership with Forestry and Land Scotland.

To celebrate these project milestones, along with its project partners, VWT is hosting a Pine Marten Haven Launch at each site. We were joined by volunteers and representatives from conservation organisations for the ribbon cutting to open the new hides at Kirroughtree and Wallington, including:

  • Dumfries and Galloway Pine Marten Group
  • Scottish Wildlife Trust
  • Natural England
  • Forestry England
  • Volunteers from the National Trust
  • Volunteers from VWT’s previous Back from the Brink pine marten project.

The official launch was followed by free guided walks for the public in the afternoon.

Guided walk at the Pine Marten Haven site at Wallington in partnership with National Trust.

There is still one more Pine Marten Haven launch to go! 

On Saturday 6 September, we’re launching the Welsh Pine Marten Haven site in Wentwood Forest, Monmouthshire (in partnership with Coed Cadw – the Woodland Trust in Wales — and Natural Resources Wales). 

To find out more about this Haven launch and to book your spot on a free guided walk, click here. Please Note Advance booking is optional. Walk-ins are welcome on the day, but please arrive early as spaces are limited.

VWT’s Martens on the Move is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to the National Lottery players, we are able to create opportunities to increase knowledge and understanding of pine martens and to improve habitats for the species across the UK.