Welcome Danes Moss supporters to our first newsletter of 2026. In this update we have:
- Danes Moss Trust Chair Tom outlines the case for a ‘nature-led recovery’ on Danes Moss North
- New blog: Managing Woodland on Danes Moss for the Willow Tit
- Opportunities to support Danes Moss Trust – we’re looking for a new Treasurer and more!
- Species of the month: Willow Trees
- Upcoming events & activities
(Feature picture is some of the wet woodland Willow trees under woodland management, see blog link below)
Dear friends and supporters,
As Cheshire East Council continue their Options Appraisal to review the future of Danes Moss, we are advocating for a ‘Nature-led Recovery Option.’
What does this mean? It means two things:
First, no development should take place on the Danes Moss peatland. There has been enough of that already.
Second, the habitats of Danes Moss North Local Wildlife Site (known to some as the South Macclesfield Development Area) should be restored to more healthy, natural ecosystems.
Peatland restoration cannot completely undo centuries of drainage, excavation, pollution and development. But much of the damage can be undone and the wildlife that is thriving there can be protected for the future.
This healing process for nature needs to fully involve all of the local community living around and accessing Danes Moss North. We will always advocate for genuine community consultation on any changes to Dane Moss North. This matters because people need nature and they need it where they live. Not a car journey away, but in their immediate neighbourhood. We should not see access to the natural world as a luxury but instead as our birthright, our spiritual home, the real world and the place that gave us everything and to which we return, physically, at the end of our lives.
But please, don’t forget this. The future of Danes Moss is not settled yet. The Council and others may yet decide to push for developments on our peatlands. That option is not off the table.
So, please…
- do stay in touch
- volunteer with us
- spread the word about Danes Moss
- And, if you can, get out there and experience the wonder of this beautiful peatland.
Thank you for your support.
Tom, Chair of Danes Moss Trust
New blog: Managing Woodland on Danes Moss for the Willow Tit
Learn more about the specialist woodland management activities taking place to improve the habitat for the Willow Tit on Danes Moss North. Read more here.
Opportunities to support Danes Moss Trust
Danes Moss Trust is looking for a new Treasurer. If you have accounting expertise and can spare a few hours a week, to help protect our local wildlife and peatlands, we’d love to hear from you.
For more details about this rewarding volunteer opportunity and to play a part in something very special email us at sam at savedanesmoss.com (replace ‘at’ with @ to email) to express your interest by 28 February.
Other opportunities also available to support our work currently:
- Can you offer a few hours a month to support with web design? Please email andrew at savedanesmoss.com (replace ‘at’ with @ to email)
- Are you interested in creating new social media content across our channels? Please email sam at savedanesmoss.com (replace ‘at’ with @ to email)
Species of the month: Willow
Willow trees are a key component of the woodland on Danes Moss, in fact, this woodland is so special it has its own habitat name of ‘wet woodland’. Keep an eye out on the moss for their lovely catkins that will soon explode as spring starts to get going.
The willow trees in the wet woodland all belong to the scientific genus of Salix. They are very closely related and can be tricky to ID to species. Most of them will be a mix of Goat Willow (Salix caprea) and Grey Willow (Salix cinerea) or hybrids between them! There is a brief guide here on the difference between the species, it is mainly down to the shape of the leaves but can be quite tricky.
As native tree species they are very important for biodiversity in the UK and are a key species for the moss. There are many species of insects and fungi that live on them on Danes Moss such as the amazing Lunar Hornet Moth and tiny little moths that create leafmines as they feed on the leaves. This abundance of insects including the craneflies that lay their eggs on the shaded wet ground provide a key habitat for the Willow Tit. Willow Tits have declined by 94% in recent decades across the UK so preserving and maintaining their habitat is key to their survival.
Events & activities coming up!
- Sunday 22 February, 10-15.30 our monthly stall at Treacle Market in St Michael’s Churchyard. Come join us for a catch-up!
- Sunday 29 March, 10-15.30 our monthly stall at Treacle Market in St Michael’s Churchyard. Come join us for a chat and our ever popular Easter card making, FREE KIDS ACTIVITY.
