Natural England says construction has begun on a new off-grid woodland centre at Yarner Wood, within the East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths National Nature Reserve in Devon. The building will replace the reserve's ageing visitor centre and provide year-round space for conservation, education and wellbeing activities, including NHS partnerships such as woodcraft for wellbeing and nature-based art therapy, along with volunteering opportunities.

The frame is made from Douglas fir donated by the Woodland Trust from its Bovey Valley woods, where trees were felled to restore ancient woodland. The exterior cladding will use 4km of western red cedar, chosen because it needs minimal treatment to stay weatherproof. The centre will run entirely off-grid, using solar power and rainwater harvesting. Natural England chief executive Neil Hornby said the project would help more people experience the benefits of nature.

Yarner Wood is a 365-acre ancient oak woodland and temperate rainforest on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, known for breeding birds including pied flycatchers and wood warblers. Natural England says the frame and roof are complete and windows installed, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and a launch event planned for March 2027.