Bridestones Rewilded - Eye on Calderdale

Bridestones Rewilded CIC is a non-profit company. It was formed by a group of passionate naturalists, ecologists, and local community members. Their mission is to restore and protect the local landscape. They achieve this through conservation, education, and community action.

Each team member has unique expertise. They work on restoration, land management, community outreach, and fundraising. This team approach makes every project thoughtful, effective, and inclusive.

The company also works with many supporters. These include local residents, volunteers, Calderdale Council, the Environment Agency, and donors. Together, they create lasting environmental and social impact.

wo volunteers working beside a rain gauge at Bridestones, kneeling in long, dense moorland grass. The rain gauge sits low to the ground and includes a cylindrical green collection funnel and attached monitoring components. One volunteer holds a survey pole marked with measurement bands, and both are wearing outdoor clothing suitable for fieldwork. The surrounding landscape is open moorland with tall grasses under an overcast sky.

Reimagining Bridestones Moor

Bridestones Moor is the first community-owned nature reserve in Calderdale. It's a place for wildlife and a great example of climate action. Here are some of the projects bringing this vision to life:

The team is rewetting the land by blocking gullies and planting moss. This helps slow water flow, store carbon, increase biodiversity, and reduce the risk of wildfires. It's bringing the moor back to life for future generations.
Bridestones is using nature-friendly livestock management. By reducing the number of cattle and rotating where they graze, the plants have time to recover. The team is also testing "no-fence" collars. This new technology uses GPS to guide the cattle without needing expensive fences.
They are reintroducing wetland plants that had disappeared from the area, such as sundew, cloudberry, and bog asphodel. This effort is restoring balance and beauty to this unique ecosystem.

Photograph shows a 'rainwater gauge'.

Two volunteers in an open moorland landscape standing beside a flow monitor at Bridestones. One volunteer is kneeling in long grass with a notebook, while the other stands holding a survey pole next to the monitoring device. The scene is surrounded by tall grasses under an overcast sky.

Powered by community, backed by science

The community wanted to buy Bridestones Moor because of its unique geology and cultural history. They also loved its important role in local life. Despite the challenges, they came together and raised an amazing £80,000. This money came from crowd funding, donations, and loans. It shows what people can do when they work for a shared goal.

Calderdale Council gave Bridestones Rewilded a £25,000 grant. This money came from the Environment Agency. The grant will help create a flood management project.

Volunteers are collecting real-time data on the moor. They are using sensors and 'dip wells' to track water. This helps the team plan how to manage floods. Volunteers and local contractors will do the work over the next year. They will work carefully to avoid harming the moor.

These solutions will likely include blocking gullies to keep rainwater on the moor. The team will also restore bare peat and plant moss. These actions aim to reduce flooding, store carbon, and teach the community about flood resilience and ecological care.

Photograph shows an 'overland flow monitor'.

Rain monitor stick to a wooden fence pole.

Leading the way in environmental stewardship

Bridestones Rewilded CIC shows that community action can create big change. By blending science with a community spirit, the organisation is restoring a precious landscape. It's also inspiring a deeper connection between people and nature.

Learn more and get involved: https://bridestones.love.

Photograph shows a 'pressure transducer comms'