The initiative comes as part of Vincent Wildlife Trust’s nationally significant project, Martens on the Move.
Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project aims to support the resurgence of the pine marten, one of Britain’s rarest mammals.
The Pine Marten Haven, located in Wentwood Forest, will educate visitors about these creatures.
Features include a wildlife viewing hide, nature trail information boards, and life-sized pine marten silhouettes to spot.
The project will be officially unveiled on September 6, with free guided walks and activities from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Dr Stephanie Johnstone, Martens on the Move project manager, said: “We are excited to be working with Coed Cadw and Natural Resources Wales to promote and support the recovery of pine martens in Wales.
“Thanks to this partnership and the National Lottery players, we have been able to create this Pine Marten Haven at Wentwood in Monmouthshire to share the story of this amazing native species with visitors from near and far.”
Pine martens were once widespread across Wales, but their numbers declined drastically by the early 20th century.
Between 2015 and 2017, the VWT translocated 51 pine martens from northern Scotland to mid-Wales, and in 2019 and 2021, 35 more were moved to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Today, the population is slowly recovering across Wales, including in Monmouthshire.
Kylie Jones Mattock, director of Coed Cadw, said: “Wentwood is not only Wales’s largest ancient woodland, but also a place where people can connect with nature and discover the incredible wildlife that depends on it.
“By creating this new Pine Marten Haven, visitors will learn more about one of our rarest native mammals while also celebrating the vital role healthy woodlands play in their recovery.”
Rhys Handley, land management team leader for Natural Resources Wales, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to support this vital project and work alongside our partners to introduce a new haven for pine martens in Wentwood Forest, helping to support the recovery of this incredible species in Wales and safeguard them for the future.”