Grantee: Bute Community Land Company

Duration: July 2024 – July 2025

Background

Tree-less landscapes, that cover much of the West Coast of Scotland, result in ecologically-starved areas. It is vital that we preserve the rare fragments of native woodland that remain, much of which is internationally significant Atlantic Temperate Rainforest.

Community-owned forests not only protect (and restore) native woodland, but also utilise the benefits of woodlands for people – be that economic (eco-tourism) or social (wellbeing).

Bute Community Forest

Bute Community Forest was bought in 2009 by the Bute Community Land Company (BCLC) following a vote in which 93% of the community voted for acquisition – the largest vote in favour of community ownership at the time.  A board of directors oversee the management of the 160 hectare/ 400 acre community forest, which includes a mixture of commercial forestry and native woodland, including 40 hectares (a quarter) of temperature rainforest and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The aims of BCLC are to increase local community access to woodland assets, through recreation and environmental education activities which enhance and protect the natural environment. Since 2021, BCLC have employed a Forest Ranger, Samuel Lindsay, to deliver these aims through a comprehensive program of community activities, such as woodland education for Early Years and Primary school children.

However, funding challenges led to BCLC approaching HIEF in June 2024, needing £30,000 of core funding to secure another year of the Forest Ranger position, and thus the associated woodland and community activities. HIEF awarded a grant of £10,000, to be used as match-funding, in a Crowdfunder campaign that would aim to raise the full £30,000.

Seasonal changes in Bute Community Forest. Images courtesy of BCLC.

‘Grow the Seed’ Crowdfunder Campaign

In addition to the HIEF grant, match-funding was provided by the  Aviva Community Fund up to donations of £250. This meant that every donation from a member of the public would effectively unlock triple the amount pledged – £10 became £30.

The month-long campaign in September/October 2024 resulted in the target of £30,000 being met. With an approximate breakdown of £10,000 from HIEF, £10,000 from Aviva (a mixture of the  Community Fund and Employee Giving), and £10,000 from the public and businesses.

The positive outcomes extended beyond the funding boost; the campaign also helped strengthen support for Bute Community Forest locally and further afield, increasing future funding opportunities and raising awareness generally.

Content and extracts from the successful Crowdfunder campaign.

Project Activities

Through continuing to employ a Forest Ranger, Bute Community Forest are aiming to:

Nurture the next generation of nature lovers

• Provide 50 + nursery forest school sessions helping their smallest adventurers feel at home exploring their woodland, for 350+ pre-5 children visits.
• Offer 110 + Forest School Sessions for the 330 primary school children on the island. The goal of forest schools is to give children the opportunity to learn more about their local wildlife and build a connection with nature that will hopefully last a lifetime.
• Deliver nature and outdoor learning for EVERY island child aged 3-11.

 

Connect people in the Community Forest

• So far they’ve offered 25+ events that have been attended by more than 520 island residents and visitors! They want to keep this going with many more events during 2024-2025
• Bute Community Forest has hosted many sessions for Branching Out (mental health and wellbeing charity), “Blether and Brew” volunteering sessions and Refugee community events. Many of these are still in the early stages and they are hoping to watch them grow over the next year.
• Improving access to the forest. Making the forest as accessible as possible is fundamentally important in helping the public connect with this amazing space and BCLC have new boardwalks, benches and signage planned for the forest.

 

And Help Save our Planet

• They’re halfway through the Bullochreg Project to create a Caledonian Pine Forest, Aspen Woodland and Flooded Forest. They have already planted 12,000 trees but have still got much more to plant and want to increase biodiversity by at least 20 species!
• The Atlantic Temperate Rainforest needs protecting! Over the next year, the Forest Ranger will be creating a woodland management plan to help manage and protect this ancient woodland for many more years to come.
• They have one big area of non-native plantation left, Tawnich Wood, and next year we’ll be looking to harvest it. When it comes to replanting, they want to have a strong emphasis on trees that the community can use, whether it’s through foraging or woodworking. The Forest Ranger will oversee this exciting project!

 

Watch this space for updates on the exciting year of woodland activities at Bute Community Forest, or hear it first-hand by becoming a member for a £1 (through their website) and receiving their newsletter or following on social media (links below).

Ranger Samuel Lindsay delivering outdoor learning to schoolchildren at Bute Community Forest. Images courtesy of BCLC.