Saving Danes Moss

The nature-biodiversity emergency is not confined to afar places like the Amazon Rainforest; it is occurring right here on our own doorstep.

Working with Save Danes Moss, a community led organisation in Macclesfield, I have produced a 3-minute documentary style film emphasising the dire need to protect a local green space from encroaching urbanisation.

Sphagnum Moss

Peatlands are exquisite ecosystems that are in grave danger of being bulldozed for development; Danes moss is a prime example of such a site under threat. Danes Moss, a precious Lowland Raised Bog, is a site teeming with life and home to many rare and endangered species. Tragically, a large part of Danes Moss has now been earmarked for development, dismissed as so-called "waste land". If approved, this plan would see invaluable peat-covered land devastated, woodlands hacked down, and vulnerable species pushed to the brink-all in the mist of a climate emergency.

Peatlands are exceedingly susceptible to damage and are incredibly difficult to restore; once gone, these indispensable ecosystems will be lost forever, hence it is paramount that we do everything we can to protect and restore these irreplaceable wetlands.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)

Although not as picturesque as rainforests or as vibrant as coral reefs, peat bogs posses a more subtle beauty. These often-overlooked landscapes are actually some of the most remarkable ecosystems in our natural world, and are a vital ally in the fight against climate change. These unique environments are a rich haven for wildlife, home to rare and endangered plants, birds and insects. Wander through one and you might spot sphagnum mosses, cotton grass, and cross-leaved heather underfoot. Overhead, birds of prey glide silently, while smaller birds like members of the tit family flit between trees. Dragonflies and damselflies skim the water's surface, butterflies and moths dance through the air, and common lizards can be found basking in sunny spots.

Curious to know more? Head over to the Gallery page and watch the short video to discover why Danes Moss is such a special site, and why it is so crucial that we work to conserve it.