The Forestry Commission is committed to the principles of sustainability, using locally sourced natural materials, renewable energy, recycling and waste management in its recent developments. April 2007 saw the opening of a state-of-the-art visitor centre at Dalby Forest in the heart of the North York Moors. The striking £2.6m building has been constructed using natural materials and, nestling into the wooded valley, it builds on the distinct character of the forest.
The construction of the all-timber building uses new techniques that enhance quality while lessening the impact on the surrounding area. It is clad in locally-sourced timber shingles made from Yorkshire larch. The building structure contains added insulation and uses natural ventilation to lower its energy consumption. It is powered by energy from photo-voltaic panels and a wind turbine. Heating is provided by a biomass boiler, which runs on woodchips from the surrounding forest area. The building also uses rainwater harvesting and bio-filtration sewage systems in its wastewater management.
The visitor centre houses a series of interactive displays and exhibitions about sustainable living, and the cultural and environmental roles of the forest. These range from an interpretation of the prehistory of the site, through its wartime use, to the cutting-edge mountain bike trails and tourist attractions that are available at Dalby today.
The project is the focus of a £4.3m regeneration project that will put Dalby at the centre of a package of fantastic visitor attractions in the North York Moors. We are so pleased with the new building, and the reaction from visitors and partners alike has been overwhelming. It really is a statement of what the Forestry Commission is about in the 21st Century, and I am proud to have been a part of creating it. 
Find out more about Dalby Forest.