NRN PARTNER: Bute Community Forest

BUTE COMMUNITY FOREST

Location:
Isle of Bute
Area Committed:
395 acres

In the north of the Isle of Bute, looking onto the Burnt Islands and ‘Argyll’s secret coast’, there is a mixed woodland that has been in community ownership since 2010. A significant portion of this is a beautiful old oak wood, which has been given SSSI protected status. The remainder of the community-owned land consists of mixed broadleaf woodlands and commercial conifer plantations. Over time, the conifers will be replaced with native broadleaf species. A ranger works to increase local engagement with a variety of innovative engagement techniques, and an off-grid eco-tourism enterprise has recently been established as a source of income generation.

Key rewilding commitments:

  • MORE NATIVE WOODLAND: Transform non-native conifer plantations into native woodlands.
  • MORE SPACE FOR WATER: Explore creation of a new wetlands.
  • RETURN MISSING SPECIES: Establish an aspen nursery.
  • LET NATURE LEAD: Remove non-native rhododendron from within the ancient oak woodland.
  • CONNECT WITH COMMUNITIES: Continue to build engagement with locals through school and community group visits and improving access infrastructure.
  • CREATING REWILDING BUSINESSES: Continue to develop and maintain eco-tourism accommodation.

'We need a fundamental reassessment of our relationship with nature. By cherishing and nurturing what we have, we can start the process of reintegrating humans into the natural world.'

Richard Whitcomb, Chair