My name is Diana Moss and in 2021 I helped to set up a small environmental charity; Macc Wild Network Trust. Our aim is to help make Macclesfield greener, more biodiverse and more resilient to climate change.

We are working on a number of sites around the town. Our pilot project is in the grounds of Macclesfield Leisure Centre where we have initiated a change in the mowing regime. Larger areas of grass are now left to grow creating new meadow areas. We’ve worked with volunteers from the local community to plant trees, shrubs and a community orchard. We are now carrying out similar projects on school grounds and other public spaces in and around the town.

We have had overwhelmingly positive feedback about the changes in the way the land is managed and maintained on the Leisure Centre site. People love the long grass and say how much more interesting it is to walk there now. We have had some lovely conversations about the plants and wildlife that they can enjoy there.

The creation of Macc Wild was prompted by a growing awareness of the importance to people of having wildlife-friendly green spaces on their doorsteps during the Covid lockdowns. Rather than having to travel to experience nature first-hand, people should have the opportunity to do that in the area they live; it should be an everyday experience.

We have engaged with many different groups and organisations in the town with whom we have established very productive partnerships and helped to raise awareness of the need to make space for, and live alongside nature.

It has made people much more aware that there are simple things we can do to make places more nature-friendly. Macc Wild is another thread in the many green initiatives that are springing up around the town. It feels like we are part of a movement and there is tremendous positivity around that and the feeling that we can all make a difference.

We'd like to map the town and create a vision for a network of nature-friendly connected spaces throughout Macclesfield. Having that vision would inspire people as to what could be achieved and to imagine a different future where we live alongside nature.

In terms of challenges we’ve faced, we are a small team of volunteer trustees and there is so much to do! It’s lovely working with the enthusiastic volunteers who have come out to plant trees and create meadows and we would love to grow our volunteer base. We would also love to have more young people involved in the project but it is a challenge to get them on board when they have such busy lives and many calls on their time.

Since we started Macc Wild Network, we’ve found that working as a team and in partnership with others is not only hugely enjoyable but has been the key to enabling us to achieve what we have over the last 18 months. It's possible to achieve so much more as a community and there is so much expertise and enthusiasm out there. If you’re considering doing something in your local area then go for it!

Contact details for Macc Wild Network info@maccwildnetwork.org.uk

Website www.maccwildnetwork.org.uk

Instagram @maccwildnetwork