Campaigners challenging threats to a rare wildlife habitat have reached a 'major milestone'

The Danes Moss Trust, the official name of the Save Danes Moss campaign, has been granted charity status (Registered Charity No. 1211113).

This will strengthen their ability fight for the 1,300-plus species living at Cheshire's largest lowland raised bog, including 62 that are legally protected.

A spokesperson for the group said: "This marks a major milestone in our journey to protect one of Cheshire's most precious natural habitats and it positions us even more strongly to influence decision-makers, collaborate with other environmental organisations, and expand our impact."

Placard made by Dean Valley pupils (Credit: Save Danes Moss)

Save Danes Moss was launched in December 2021 in response to plans to build 950 homes, a supermarket, retail sheds and a link road on the site.

In 2024, the group rolled out an educational programme focused on the bog's biodiversity and the role of peat as a valuable carbon store.

Through guided walks, interactive school presentations, and community events, they have connected with over 1,000 local children.

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Particular highlights include year five at St Alban's Catholic Primary raising £168 through a cake sale while pupils at Dean Valley have been making their own placards to show solidarity.

Children at First steps Nursery on Merebrook Road wrote to Sir David Attenborough to tell him how much they love Danes Moss and he replied, saying 'you are very lucky to live near Danes Moss'.

Sir David Attenborough wrote back to children at First steps Nursery (Credit: Save Danes Moss)

Additionally, youngsters aged between five and 16 from Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers took part in a bioblitz and guided walk on Danes Moss with trustee Isobel Hatton to see how many different species they could find.

Isobel said: "Young people have been invaluable to our campaign and are so passionate about supporting us.

"Running the educational programme of talks and guided walks has been so rewarding and has allowed me to see firsthand how invested the young people of Macclesfield are in protecting and experiencing nature.

"As the youngest member of the Danes Moss Trust, I worry about the growing threats to biodiversity and our climate, but meeting other young people who share these concerns and are proactive in tackling these problems gives me hope for the future."

Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers on a guided tour of Danes Moss (Credit: Save Danes Moss)

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Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, you will find a Save Danes Moss stall at numerous events including MaccPride, Macclesfield Beer Festival and the Treacle Market.

They will be offering eco-friendly crafts for kids, biodegradable glitter tattoos, leaflets to take home and a large-scale illustration of their vision for the future of Danes Moss.

You can keep up to date with their work on Facebook or by signing up to their newsletter at savedanesmoss.com.