The focus of this project is the restoration of an important remnant of native pinewood which, unusually, includes an element of genuinely native oak, and is a link between the adjoining pinewoods in Glen Ferrick and Glen Tanar in south Deeside. This area of 500ha known as the North Hill lies within the Forest of Birse Commonty, an area where the ownership of rights has been uncertain for a thousand years. By means of an agreement between the Birse Community Trust and two private landowners, the area has been brought into management mainly through the control of deer numbers to allow natural regeneration. Small areas of broadleaves have been planted to establish future seed sources. The Community Trust have also acquired and restored the nearby Finzean water-powered sawmill, a listed building, which was built in the 19th Century to exploit the local pinewoods. It continues in operation today using timber from the North Hill and has been made safe so that visitors can view it in operation. Further elements of the project include the planting of a school wood by local pupils, the improvement of the 12ha community wood next to the village of Finzean and the publication of information and research into the native woodlands of the parish.