Green Credentials

At Moors Valley, we do our best to operate as sustainably as possible.

Here are just some measures we have introduced to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the environment.

Reducing our carbon footprint:

  • A 10kw photovoltaic system uses the sun’s energy to provide electricity for the railway station and toilets.
  • Solar panels on the roof of the Visitor Centre heat the hot water to the hand basins in the ladies toilets at the Visitor Centre.
  • A biomass boiler which is fed by a wood chip made from local sustainable sources heats the Visitor Centre and the hot water in the restaurant.
  • Energy-saving LED lights have been installed in several areas of the Visitor Centre.
  • Motion-activated lights in the toilets at the Visitor Centre and Railway mean that energy is saved when they are not in use.
  • Seasons Restaurant work hard to source their ingredients and products locally in Dorset and the New Forest e.g. Best beef, rare breed pork, bacon products and certified wild boar comes from a small New Forest farm.

Reducing  and Recycling:

  • Rainwater is collected from the roof of the visitor centre and then used to water planters, top-up tanks, and water bowls in Ranger Den.  
  • We aim to recycle 70% of our waste; currently, we recycle all cardboard, paper, glass, plastic and metal.
  • Food waste from Seasons Restaurant is also separated and collected for use in energy production. Cooking oil is collected and re-processed.
  • Hygiene waste products (nappies and sanitary items) are collected and processed to be used as an alternative fuel source.
  • We minimise paper use e.g. by not printing out emails and have replaced the paper mailshot of the Moors Valley events guide with regular e-newsletters. Receipts and bags are only given on request.
  • To help reduce the use of single-use plastic we have a free public water fountain situated outside the Visitor Centre that can be used to refill reusable bottles.

Working sustainably

  • The forest in and around Moors Valley is a working forest, managed by Forestry England to the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS). The UKFS is the practice code for forest management and details the conditions that must be met when felling trees, carrying out woodland operations and receiving grants. Practising sustainable forestry means managing our forests in a way that meets our needs at present but that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
  • All paper used is either recycled or FSC paper from sustainably managed forests, with environmentally friendly inks where possible.
  • Fish and seafood are always fresh and sustainably sourced from the coasts of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.