Danes Moss, “a unique, rich and valuable educational resource”
We’ve asked our trustee Izzy Hatton to share information about the educational work we are undertaking and how this supports our mission to Save Danes Moss.
Over the last three years the team have been busy developing and delivering a range of educational events for people of all ages. Walks, wildlife surveys, talks and tours on Danes Moss have attracted hundreds of people. A programme of talks and field trips conducted by Izzy for local primary schools, has reached more than 1,000 pupils. Our educational work will continue to grow and develop in 2025. We want to continue working with local schools and increase the number and range of onsite visits with local adults and community groups, particularly those who have not been to Danes Moss before.
Educational activity is a critical part of our mission to conserve the Danes Moss peatlands for current and future generations to enjoy. We aim to maintain and enhance the habitat to benefit both the richly diverse wildlife and local people. Creating these links with residents, including children and young people, community groups, charities and schools allows Danes Moss to become a catalyst for nature conservation, physical and mental well-being, and active travel across Macclesfield and the wider area.
Danes Moss provides us with a valuable local educational resource and outdoor learning environment. Izzy told us, “the Moss can help us to learn about a rich variety of habitats and species, biodiversity, the role of peat in our eco-system, climate change, land use and the history of settlement in Macclesfield. This makes it uniquely placed to contribute across the curriculum to history, geology, science, and other subjects.”
"Truly inspiring"
Presentations have been made to full school assemblies and smaller class groups, with
requested topics covering native species, biodiversity, the role peat restoration plays in climate change and the impact of development. This includes delivering a talk to a nursery forest school, helping children aged as young as two to learn about the natural world and understand how we are all part of it.
Running the school talks and field trips on behalf of the Danes Moss Trust has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done! The pupils are so invested in the natural world and are astounded to discover that we have such an amazing and diverse place like Danes Moss in our town.
I always make sure the children realise how lucky we are to have a place like Danes Moss and that our work is trying to protect it for the wildlife, the environment, and to ensure that children like them continue to have access to such a wonderful place. There are very few places in Macclesfield where you can learn, play, relax, explore, and discover, that won’t cost you a penny!
I especially love when children recognise me at events like Treacle Market and come over to tell me everything they know about Danes Moss. Their parents also mention how much they have learnt because their children won’t stop talking about it and insisting that they have to visit every weekend!
Site visits, walks and talks are a great opportunity to engage further with the peatland itself in groups of all sizes and ages. Hundreds of people have joined walks around Danes Moss, the youngest being 3 and the oldest 85. There is no age limit to enjoying nature and our walks include both recreational and scientific activities, such as photography, mindfulness, ecological surveys, and art. Often during these walks we are reminded of the true extent of the diversity onsite as new species are discovered with every visit!
The school talks are special as they can be tailored to almost any aspect of the national curriculum and blend with existing lesson plans, whilst also providing a local case study and a practical element to learning. We often bring props such as peat samples to show during the talk and the demonstration of sphagnum mosses’ ability to soak up water is always a favourite.
During 2025 the educational programme will further develop and grow. As well as continuing to work with local primary schools, we are aiming to engage with secondary schools and to increase onsite visits with adult groups such as bird watching groups or local Churches, clubs and businesses who have supported our campaign but have not been to Danes Moss before.
If you are interested in arranging a school talk or visit or a walk or visit for other local groups please contact info@savedanesmoss.com
