Bute Community Forest comprises 160 hectares of mixed woodland at the northern end of Bute.  It includes temperate rainforest, SSSI, broadleaf woodland & commercial woodland.

The role of the Community Forest Ranger is to: increase local community access to the community woodland assets, through recreation & environmental education activities which enhance & protect the natural environment.  These include volunteering & schools programmes, conservation activities & community events.

Environmental action is at the core of almost all forest activities both indirectly (through nurturing public appreciation of wild natural spaces & the wildlife that lives within those spaces), & directly (through volunteering to help improve the woodland & its habitats).

Another key objective is to develop a 10year Scottish forestry approved woodland management plan for the SSSI.

Instead of awarding a grant, HIEF has pledged £10,000 to be used as matched-funding for a joint crowdfunding campaign to raise a total of £20,000 towards the costs of continuing the community ranger role for 1 year.