Martes caurina humboldtensis
Habitat, Diet & Status
Habitat: Old-growth conifer forests in the coastal mountains of Oregon and Northern California
ESA Status: Threatened (distinct population segment)
Diet: Small mammals (especially voles), birds, berries, and insects
The Pacific marten is a keystone predator in old-growth forest ecosystems, helping to regulate rodent populations and maintain balance across plant and animal life. It relies on dense canopy cover, large standing trees, and complex ground structures like fallen logs for hunting and shelter. Its presence signals the health of mature forests in the Siuslaw region.
The Mask, the Message, and the Forest
Though martens once ranged widely across the Oregon Coast, their numbers have declined dramatically due to habitat fragmentation from logging, road building, and wildfire. Their small, isolated populations make them especially vulnerable to environmental stress. Protecting martens requires protecting large, connected tracts of old-growth forest—homes not just to martens, but to countless interdependent species.
By controlling rodents, martens also help support forest regeneration and reduce disease risk. They are prey for larger predators and part of the intricate food web that stretches from tree canopy to forest floor. In Indigenous oral traditions, martens are seen as observant and elusive—forest spirits that thrive in silence and shade.
Our papier-mâché mask reflects this quiet resilience. Its posture and fur textures evoke the intimacy of a creature rarely seen but deeply felt in the ecology of place. When we lift this mask in performance or gallery space, we lift a reminder: this forest still has wild kin whose survival depends on our choices.
What You Can Do: Support local and regional campaigns that fight for old-growth protections. Stay informed about forest policy. Join ECC at one of our events to learn how creative action can build real-world awareness for the lives we share this land with.
