Nature And Landscape

Restoring Pine Martens in Cumbria (RPMC): Connecting Lives and Landscapes

Pine martens are valued by local communities in Cumbria as part of their natural heritage and?hold great potential?for engaging people with nature. Building on the legacy of the BOOM (Back On Our Map) project, we aim to restore pine marten populations in Cumbria. This will improve their conservation status, enhance woodland ecosystem function, and support the restoration of red squirrel populations. We will expand our focus on community well-being by collaborating with His Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS) to connect with prisoners who suffer disproportionately from mental health conditions and have limited access to nature and the natural environment. We will work with HMPS staff and inmates to build den boxes and use film and VR headsets to connect prisoners to the project and nature. Additionally, we will secure the project's legacy by developing a citizen science pine marten monitoring program, led by volunteers, prison inmates, and project partners.