Graduate Forester

Bute Forest Ltd has a vacancy for a Forester. Please see here for more details.

This post is part of the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme and part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and European Regional Development Fund.

Build a Compost Toilet Day

Ever fancied learning how to build a compost toilet, or just fancy a day in the woods helping to improve facilities in our forest?

We are in need of general and qualified (those who have chainsaw or wood working qualifications) volunteers to help us build our first compost toilet on Saturday 28th January from 10am – 4pm.

Please let Emma know via emma@buteforest.com or 01700 500541 or pop into the office if you plan to attend or if you would like or need a lift to the work site. You can take part in all or part of the day’s work.

Bring a packed lunch or something for the BBQ, wear sensible boots and waterproofs, bring gloves and any tools you have (e.g. hammer, tape, saw, level) and meet us at the work area at the top of the access track next to Rhubodach Cottage. Please park on the main road. The work area is approx. 800 yards from the road.

Please arrive promptly to receive the safety briefing.

Qualified Volunteers

Volunteers wishing to help out with chainsaw work need to register with Emma before the event. This is to satisfy our insurers that we have the adequate safety measures in place. Emma will need to see your qualification certificates and take you through a 20-min induction process.

Volunteer Policy

Our volunteer policy will be available here for download shortly.

Master Plan and Hydro Scheme Consultations

Forest Master Plan

The most recent draft of the Forest Master Plan, shared at the consultation event held in November is now available for download:

Final Draft Master Plan – Brief Overview

Final Draft Master Plan Dec 2011 - In full

FAQ’s and consultation responses provide an overview of the plan and key concerns:

FAQ Master Plan – Jan 2012

The map below shows where facilities are expected to be placed:

Planned Forest Facility Locations Map

We are asking for final comments by 31st Jan on the plan so that we can finalise it and move forward.

To complete a short survey on the master plan please follow this link:

Survey: Master Plan

Hydro Scheme

The most recent report produced by the hydro-scheme consultants Mott MacDonald Ltd, shared at the consultation event held in November is now available for download:

Phase 1b Summary Report – Dec 2011

FAQ’s and consultation responses provide a more accessible introduction to the key issues and will be updated as appropriate:

FAQ Hydro Jan 2012

We are asking for final comments by 31st Jan on the scheme so that we can finalise it and move forward.

To complete a short survey on the hydro scheme please follow this link:

Survey: Hydro Scheme

First Tree Cut Event

The first tree cutting in Bute Forest is taking place this Sunday 11th Dec at 1pm – 4pm.

Come along to celebrate with mulled wine & Danish apple dumplings, pick up a Christmas Tree, enjoy the music, meet our new Forest Manager, find out about volunteering opportunities and build yourself a souvenir from the wood.

Suitable for all ages.

Directions

Park at Rhudobach Cottage (on the waterside) or at ferry lay-by and follow signs 800m to the site. Wear warm clothes and waterproof shoes and bring a torch!

Global Consultancy Appointed to Develop Hydro Scheme in Bute Community Forest

Bute Community Land Company (BCLC) is delighted to announce the appointment of global management, engineering and development consultancy, Mott MacDonald, to oversee the development stage of the proposed Balnakailly Hydro Scheme in Bute’s Community Forest.

Supported by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, which sponsors only those projects which can offer a lasting legacy of measurable and significant carbon emission reduction, Mott MacDonald will work with both BCLC and the island’s community to develop the Hydro Scheme project and therefore, the future financial sustainability of Bute’s Community Forest.

The timeline for the development stage starts from now until 31^st March 2012, in which time Karen Keast, who Mott MacDonald have designated as the Balnakailly Hydro Scheme project manager, will work closely with the Bute Forest Manager to prepare and plan for the establishment of a hydro plant in Bute’s much celebrated Community Forest. During the months of September and December, the local community will be invited to public events in order to undertake comprehensive and inclusive formal community consultation.  Together, the directors of BCLC-in particular consultant engineer Jim Mitchell, the Forest Project Manager and Mott MacDonald will be available to answer questions and provide information on the project’s development.

With both EU and Scottish government support in the form of Highlands and Island Enterprise and LEADER grants, BCLC has been able to employ a Forest manager for a total period of two years in which to pursue the development of environmentally and financially sustainable projects in Bute’s Community Forest. The efforts of the Forest Manager and the vision of BCLC are now soon to be realised—after months of consultation with statutory consultees, Community Energy Scotland, and independent experts, work is already underway!

Written by Justine Ballantyne

If you go down to the woods today… 13th July 2011

You will be in for a small suprise…

Forest Bug – Pentatoma rufipes – Adult: July – November, Length: 11 – 14 mm.

A large brown shieldbug which has orange legs and slightly hooked projections at the front of the pronotum.  The pale spot at the tip of the scutellum varies from orange to cream.

This species overwinters as young nymphs, which feed mainly on oak.  They also use alder, hazel and other decious trees including apple and cherry.  Occasionally predatory, adults will feed on caterpillars and other insects as well as fruits.

New adults may be found from July onwards, surviving until the late autumn, and eggs are laid in August.  Adults can sometimes be found in the early spring, suggesting that a secondary breeding cycle may be possible.  Widespread and common across Britain in wooded areas, orchards and gardens. 

http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/pentotoma_rufipes.html

Can you come up with a name for our Forest Bug?  The name for our wee mascot for will be picked from the best suggestions and used when we create our children’s page.

Bute Forest Hydro

Today we launched the tender to appoint a consultant for Phase 1 of Hydro Scheme.  Supported by Climate Challenge Fund.

In deciding on the best renewable energy option in the Community Forest, 2 preliminary feasibility studies were undertaken.  The study relating to wind power identified that the most viable site was outside the community forest boundaries.  There were also key issues relating to the SSSI upland habitats where over 70 breeding bird species have been recorded.  This left the community with Hydro as the only choice.  The preliminary feasibility study for Hydro Schemes looked at a number of sites; Balnakailly was the only site that was considered economically viable.

The Balnakailly Small-Hydro Scheme Design Study will conduct site, technical and environmental assessments and obtain relevant consents; along with a detailed design & specification for the scheme.  This will include conducting all necessary surveys required by statutory consultees: – SEPA, SNH, WOSaS and Argyll & Bute Council.  These will include otter survey, fish ecology survey, hydrology spot gauging, hydrology peripheral survey, and archaeological impact survey, and any additional reporting required to meet consent requirements.  The environmental studies are critical due to the SSSI status of the land surrounding the scheme.  Budget estimates for the hydro-scheme have been made with support of Community Energy Scotland and advice from consultants who completed the initial feasibility study.

The aim is that the hydro scheme will generate electricity directly for use at the proposed developments in the forest.  Additional income from selling the electricity to the grid would be used for reinvestment in community projects. 

The hydro scheme is pivotal in the overall development of our sustainability strategy which will provide a range of information, awareness and practical example to residents of Bute and beyond through use of green technologies of which the main objective is to encourage greater community understanding of renewable energy practices.  We would seek to reduce CO2 emission generally in 3 ways:-

1. To change behaviour through leading by example, sharing our experience, and promoting hydro-electricity as an option for sustainable power supply
2. To generate renewable electricity which will reduce the grid electricity use by the new buildings and infrastructure in the forest
3. To provide a sustainable income stream to support other related community projects

 We will seek to collaborate with Towards Zero Carbon Bute, Fyne Futures Bio Fuel, and other local projects to gradually improve the current mix of energy provision to householders and businesses.  This will increase the share of renewable energy used on the island and help reduce Bute’s carbon footprint. 

It is the intention that islanders will benefit from sustainable use of “their” Balnakailly Burn in three ways:

1. A feeling of well-being in contributing to a reduction in pollution
2. A sense of self-worth in the knowledge that they are generating income to be used on other community projects.
3. The knowledge that the Forest developments will be carbon neutral in their operation.

 Members of the Community who do not directly benefit from the hydro-electric installation, can still participate by switching to a green tariff electricity supplier.  Whilst this information is, of course, publicly available at the moment we will endeavor to increase take-up by use of personal networks and community contacts of TZCB and BCLC to encourage more people to switch to a green tariff.