Trustees x4

Danes Moss Trust is a small but influential charity dedicated to protecting and restoring Danes Moss, an irreplaceable peatland on the edge of Macclesfield. We are seeking up to four new trustees to strengthen the leadership, governance, and resilience of Danes Moss Trust as we move from campaign mode into long-term strategic management and partnership working.

We work to prevent environmentally damaging development, ensure the site is restored to sequester carbon, protect important species, and create long-term social, ecological and economic benefits for the local community.

We collaborate with local people, scientists, ecologists, community groups, and public bodies to secure a sustainable and community-led future for this unique landscape. The Trust was established to build on the work of the Save Danes Moss campaign, driven by passion for nature, environmental justice, and empowering local voices. The Trust is governed by local people who care deeply about the future of Danes Moss, with much of our day-to-day activity delivered by dedicated volunteers.

Danes Moss Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registered Charity No. 1211113).

What the commitment is

Trustees meet monthly in person in the evening in Macclesfield. Trustees may also take part in sub-groups, site visits, and community events. The overall time commitment varies with workload but is normally between 10 -18 hours per month, with flexibility depending on your role and availability.

Danes Moss Trust currently has no paid staff, which means this is more than a traditional governance-only trustee role. Trustees are actively involved in delivering the work of the charity between meetings, including research, partnership work, communications, community engagement, administration, and operational tasks. The role is suitable for someone who can contribute time regularly and is comfortable taking on practical responsibilities alongside strategic oversight.

Perks and Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to the long-term protection of one of Cheshire’s most important natural sites.
• A chance to shape a growing organisation, making local and national impact.
• Training and induction provided for new trustees.
• Opportunities for skills development in governance, ecology, and community engagement.
• A strong professional development opportunity for any early-career applicants

Skills You'll Need

We welcome people from all backgrounds and do not require prior trustee experience. We are particularly interested in candidates with one or more of the following:

• Community engagement, education, or social impact experience
  To help us run events and deliver activities that connect local people with nature.
• Communications, media, or campaigning experience
  To help us maintain a strong public presence and clear, fact-based messaging.
• Legal experience (planning, charity, or environmental law)
  To strengthen our ability to navigate complex legal processes and protect the site.
• Finance, fundraising, or organisational development skills
  To ensure the Trust remains financially sustainable and well-governed.
• Ecology, conservation, or land management expertise
  To help guide evidence-based decisions and shape long-term restoration plans.
• Experience of partnership building or public sector relationships
  To support our work with Cheshire East Council, Natural England, and other key stakeholders.

If you have passion, integrity, and a commitment to protecting nature for future generations, we would love to hear from you.

We particularly welcome applications from people who live in or near Macclesfield or Cheshire East, as much of our work involves local knowledge, site visits, and relationship-building with community partners. Please note that in-person attendance at monthly committee meetings is a role requirement.

We encourage applications from people who are currently under-represented in environmental governance, including younger people, people from lower-income backgrounds, and people who are new to conservation leadership.