Campaigner Academy

As well as our six online sessions you'll also benefit from:

• 1 to 1 check-ins with our campaigns team.

• Access to technical advice.

• Opportunities to network with fellow campaigners.

There are no experience or knowledge requirements regarding planning matters or wildlife. Our only ask is you come with an open mind and a commitment to the training programme.  

We are looking to support campaigns that target key problems in the planning system. You do not need to know about these problems or have a particular development in mind but please do signpost any that you are aware of.  

For example, we are concerned about developments that: 

• impact important wildlife sites (such as Special Sites of Scientific Interest, Local Wildlife Sites and Sites of Biological Importance) 

• destroy sensitive and irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodlands, peat bogs and coastal sand dunes) 

• impact peatlands and wetlands  

• threaten red-listed species and those locally important to Cheshire  

(NB: If you are unsure what this means, don’t worry, we will look and see if the development you are flagging meets our criteria.) 

No. Our priority is to get the best result for nature. When done sustainably, development can enhance nature. We are in favour of development whenever it leaves nature in a better state than before.  

New environmental legislation requires developments to contribute to nature recovery by providing at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity; this can be done by improving existing habitats, creating new ones onsite, or funding restoration locally. If done correctly, nature should be better off when a sustainable development takes place.  

For example. An isolated meadow is lost to a development. It is replaced with a bigger meadow that is created next to a Local Wildlife Site. As the new site regenerates, surrounding wildlife moves in and multiplies to a level that the old site couldn’t support. Nature is therefore better off with the development. 

That said, there are many rules to follow and we will object if a development is not meeting the required standards. Our job is to help enforce these rules and campaign for them to be improved. That’s why we need you! 

You might be concerned about something else such as the loss of a community space but talking about nature will likely make your campaign stronger. So long as you are prepared to speak up about nature as part of your campaign, then we would be happy to work with you.  

If you would like advice and support on how to improve or make your campaign more impactful, please do apply. You can apply jointly with another representative from your group. 

Although we don’t have any additional academy sessions planned, we hope that the sessions this autumn will be the first in a series. However, as your local Wildlife Trust, we’re here to support you if you’re interested in campaigning for nature.

Our website has lots of great resources such as how to email your MP or councillor, and our asks to the new Government. 

Cheshire Wildlife Trust stands united with all those who share our belief that nature is valuable in its own right as well as being essential to our existence. Disruptive and illegal activity are not methods Cheshire Wildlife Trust chooses, but we understand why many feel the need to demonstrate for action on climate and nature and we fully support their right to do so peacefully and legally.  As a charity we must comply with UK law and safeguard everyone who comes in to contact with the organisation.  

Full statement available here.