Danes Moss Trust is a charity supported entirely by the work of volunteers who feel passionately about preserving the uniqueness of Danes Moss. To celebrate and thank our volunteers we spoke to some of them about why and how they got involved with the campaign and what their hopes for the future of Danes Moss are.
Vivyan has been a regular helping out at Save Danes Moss events on the stall for a number of years.
Why does Danes Moss matter to you?
“As a girl I spent every moment outside, in awe (in an unconscious way) of the natural world. The birds, beetles, spiders, ladybirds and butterflies, hedgehogs, wood mice. All the different wild flowers, even the more familiar sights like daisies and buttercups, sparrows and robins are so beautiful.”
What made you get involved in the campaign to Save Danes Moss?
“Any wild area should be cherished, and Danes Moss is especially rich in diversity.
The mosses, trees and bogs are home to creatures with as much right to this earth as humans. The arrogance of man to think we can destroy and destruct.”
What was it like getting involved?
“Getting involved with Save Danes Moss has been fun. It’s a great bunch of people, some of them (not me) are very knowledgeable about ecology and science, but you don’t have to be. There’s no pressure – you just help where you can.”
What would you like to see happen for the future for Danes Moss?
“We see the future of Danes Moss as a place for nature to thrive AND a fantastic community asset. Walkways for families with pushchairs and wheelchairs. Bird watching hides. Magnifying boxes where children can put grasses and bugs and see them enlarged. Linking the Moss to other green areas by creating nature corridors.”
Richard has been helping out with the campaign for a number of years, in a very visible way – and currently supports with the Instagram account.
Why does Danes Moss matter to you?
“It’s a fascinating patch of Macclesfield, with a variety of wildlife.”
What made you get involved in the campaign to Save Danes Moss?
“I have a good friend that is very involved. I believe Danes Moss, and other areas like it should be protected. Believing it is nice, it’s easy, and takes no effort, but it doesn’t make any difference. It would still be built on if myself and others only believed it should be saved. I decided I needed to help in some way, to make a difference.”
What was it like getting involved?
“Easy. Although I took a slightly unusual route. I did not have much time to help with the campaign. So I eventually realised the laziest way I could help was to get our plain white van made a little more colourful with Save Danes Moss advertising. Our friend helped fund the transformation. I regularly have a chat with people and hand out “The Vision” leaflet on my travels!”
What you enjoy most about supporting Save Danes Moss?
“It’s given an area of Macclesfield that I quite liked, even more value. I’ve met experts on wildlife and ecology who are both very knowledgable & great fun!”
What’s your favourite thing about Danes Moss?
“I like the wet wooded area. It’s very peaceful, and has lots of birds, small pools, lichens, and chunky mosses.”
What would you like to see happen for the future for Danes Moss?
“It should be saved, made a little more accessible, and become formally managed as an outdoor space for locals, visitors and wildlife to enjoy.”
Izzy joined the campaign in February 2022, contributing by leading educational talks and guided walks on the Danes Moss site. She now volunteers as Education and Safeguarding Lead for the Danes Moss Trust and takes part in many engagement events.
Why does Danes Moss matter to you?
“Danes Moss is one of, if not the most, biodiverse areas in Macclesfield. To have such a rare habitat type with nationally endangered species, in our town, is such an asset and is something we should cherish and protect for future generations to enjoy. It is the closest safari experience I have ever been on! There are no official pathways and sometimes you need to fight through areas of vegetation, but you are rewarded with an immersive experience surrounded by nature, away from human influence. It is well worth protecting.”
What made you get involved in the campaign to Save Danes Moss?
“I have always loved nature and it’s been a big part of my life since I was child. I heard about the campaign and development plans after leaving university and was horrified that something so ecologically damaging was taking place in my town. Especially given the importance of peatlands for carbon storage to help tackle the ongoing climate crisis.”
What was it like getting involved?
“It has been thoroughly rewarding experience. I have made great friends and feel proud knowing that I have contributed to a campaign that is vital for improving biodiversity and our local environment.”
What you enjoy most about supporting Save Danes Moss?
“Meeting local people through community engagement events and educating children at local schools has been a highlight for me. Taking children on school trips to the site are some of my favourite experiences with the Trust.”
What’s your favourite thing about Danes Moss?
“I love how much Danes Moss serves our community without most people even realising. It enriches Macclesfield’s biodiversity, stores 1,000s tons of carbon and 1,000,000s Litres of water, it keeps the surrounding area cooler, and offers a free accessible area for locals to use which benefits their physical and mental health.”
What would you like to see happen for the future for Danes Moss?
“I would love to see the site turned into a nature reserve which permanently protects it from development and harm. I would also love to see the site re-wetted to benefit the wildlife and ensure the carbon stays stored in the peat and protects the landfill site. I want to see both locals and wildlife thriving thanks to the restoration of Danes Moss.”
There are a wide range of ways that you can support the work of Danes Moss Trust through volunteering with us and we are looking to expand our group of volunteers in 2026. If you want to get involved in volunteering contact us at info@danesmosstrust.com
