Calderdale Ecological Emergency Action Plan – In Short

Nature and wildlife are disappearing at an alarming rate. The State of Nature report states that nearly one in six species in the UK are at risk of extinction.

The main reasons for this are:

• Climate change.
• Habitat loss.
• Invasive species.
• Wildlife persecution.

These threats have created an ecological emergency. While this is a global problem, we can all help to protect our planet.

In Calderdale, we are taking action:

• We will protect and improve at least 30% of land and water for nature by 2030.
• We require all new developments to deliver a 10% net gain in biodiversity, either on-site or nearby.
• We support the Local Nature Recovery Strategy to identify opportunities for nature across West Yorkshire.

In 2021, we declared an ecological emergency to address the urgent challenge of nature loss.

We also pledged to work with partners to create an Ecological Emergency Action Plan. This is to guide our efforts to protect and restore nature in Calderdale.

It is not just important to restore nature, it is essential.

We are ready to face this challenge. The main causes of nature's decline, like climate change and habitat loss, are well understood. So are many of the solutions to restore habitats and support wildlife.

Our Plan outlines the actions we can take to reverse the habitat loss of recent decades. With urgent effort, we can bring nature back.

The Wilder Calderdale partnership thanks those that supported the development of this plan:

• Calderdale Badger Protection Group.
• Calderdale Bird Conservation Group.
• Calderdale Climate Action Partnership.
• Calderdale Council.
• Calderdale Food Network.
• Calder Rivers Trust.
• Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group.
• Environment Agency.
• ForUsTree.
• Halifax Scientific Society.
• Hebden Royd Town Council.
• Leeds Swift Group.
• Manor of Rochdale.
• Moors for the Future Partnership.
• National Trust.
• Natural England.
• Plantlife International.
• RSPB.
• Todmorden Town Council.
• United Utilities.
• University of Leeds (Water@Leeds team).
• Upper Calderdale Wildlife Network.
• White Rose Forest.
• Wildlife and Countryside Link.
• Woodland Trust.
• Yorkshire Peat Partnership.
• Yorkshire Water.
• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

People and organisations in Calderdale work to protect and bring back nature. Here are some examples that inspire:

• Cromwell Bottom. This former landfill near Brighouse is now a nature reserve. It has wetlands, woodlands and meadows full of wildlife, like birds, mammals and insects.
• High Hirst Wood meadow. This mix of wood and meadows near Hebden Bridge is being restored by Hebden Royd Council.
• Moors for the Future: Peatland at Rishworth Common is being restored by Yorkshire Water and its partners. This is to fight climate change, reduce flooding and provide clean water.
• Bridestones Rewilded. This project, near Todmorden, is to create Calderdale's first community-owned nature reserve. Bridestones Moor has been bought to restore its peatlands and heathlands.
• Brearley Fields. This wetlands is near Mytholmroyd and was created by Calderdale Council, the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. It helps wildlife, protects against floods and offers a place for people to enjoy.
• Hardcastle Crags. The National Trust manages this iconic woodland to protect its wildlife and provide a place for people to visit.
• Landscapes for Water. A project by the National Trust, Yorkshire Water and others. Leaky dams to rewet peatlands and plant woodland are being built to restore the South Pennine Moors.

For more examples, see our:

• Ecological Emergency Action Plan 2024-30(PDF 10.1MB)

Calderdale is home to iconic landscapes that are important for people, nature and the climate.

Sadly, only a small part of our habitats are in a near natural state. Changes in how we use land and the effects of climate change cause wildlife and habitats to decline. If we work together, we can bring nature back and leave the environment in better condition than we found it.

Our goal is to protect and restore at least 30% of Calderdale's land and water for nature by 2030. Our Ecological Emergency Action Plan outlines how we will achieve this.

The plan focuses on six key themes:

• Making space for nature in our communities.
• Grasslands.
• Peatlands.
• Rivers and waterways.
• Woodlands.
• Wildlife conservation.

The content that follows highlight key actions and ways you can help.

Nature is an important part of our communities. It connects us to the environment, makes our towns and villages more sustainable and helps fight climate change. Green spaces also clean our air and water and improve mental and physical health.

We can help wildlife thrive by creating spaces in our communities for birds, mammals and insects to live and move.

By working together, we will make space for nature in our communities:

• Put up bird and bat boxes across Calderdale.
• Plant more street trees and hedgerows to make our communities greener.
• Work with developers to use sustainable drainage systems to manage water.

How you can help

Make your garden, school grounds or community space a haven for wildlife:

• Put up bird boxes, build insect hotels or create ponds for birds, frogs and insects.
• Join 'No Mow May' by mowing less in spring and summer to grow grass and wildflowers for bees and butterflies.
• Avoid pesticides and herbicides that harm wildlife.
• Use only peat-free compost in your garden.

Find more tips on creating a wildlife-friendly garden in the Wildlife Trust's guide.

Grasslands are important habitats for many plants and animals and are also used by farmers for grazing.

Wildlife such as bees, butterflies, moths, hares, hedgehogs, curlew and rare waxcap fungi live in grasslands. These areas also help fight climate change by storing carbon and improving soil health.

When managed well, grasslands can reduce flooding by slowing water flow during heavy rain. Sadly, many of Calderdale's ancient grasslands are in poor shape. Some are overused, while others are neglected, causing these habitats and their wildlife to decline.

By working together, we will take action for grasslands:

• Launch a wilder grazing project with heritage cows and Exmoor ponies to restore grasslands.
• Create a 'seed bank' to supply seeds for restoring wildflower meadows and pastures.
• Establish more wood meadows that combine woodland, scrubland and grassland to support wildlife.

How you can help

Volunteer your time to restore local grasslands, get involved with:

• Countryside volunteers.
• Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group.
• National Trust's Grassland Fungi Project.

These are vital for both nature and people, as they:

• Store large amounts of carbon.
• Provide clean water to drink.
• Help to reduce flooding, as they slow the flow of water when there is heavy rainfall.
• Reduce the risk of wildfires when they are waterlogged.

Calderdale's peatlands are at risk. Years of intensive land use, air pollution and climate change are drying them out and causing damage. Without action, we could lose the many benefits they provide.

By working together, we will take action for peatlands.

• Protect and restore peatlands in Calderdale.
• Work with landowners, land managers and farmers to reward efforts to protect and restore peatlands.
• Expand Calderdale's Sphagnum Moss Nursery to supply more moss for local peatland restoration projects.

How you can help

Volunteer your time to restore Calderdale's peatlands. Get involved with:

• Countryside volunteers.
• Moors for the Future.
• Yorkshire Peat Partnership.

Calderdale’s rivers flow through the valley, connecting the moorlands to our towns and providing a home for wildlife.

The closure of industrial dye factories and tanneries helped clean up our rivers. But more work is still needed to fully restore them.

Weirs and barriers left over from the past block fish like salmon and trout from reaching their breeding grounds. These barriers also break up habitats, making them more vulnerable to climate change and pollution.

Invasive plants like Himalayan balsam have taken over many riverbanks, where native trees and plants should grow. Even with these problems, wildlife like otters and kingfishers are returning.

By working together, we will take action for Calderdale's rivers:

• Removing weirs and barriers to help fish migrate.
• Plant trees along riverbanks to keep water cool and healthy.
• Create wetlands, like ponds, for more wildlife habitat.
• Control invasive species like Himalayan balsam.
• Support efforts to stop pollution from sewage and roads.

How you can help

• Write to your MP: ask them to support stronger river protections.
• Volunteer your time to restore Calderdale's rivers, get involved with:
  • Calder Rivers Trust.
  • Countryside volunteers.
  • Slow the Flow.

Woodlands and trees are vital for people, wildlife and the planet. They offer a home to some of our most cherished wild animals.

Healthy, well-managed woodlands provide many benefits. They store large amounts of carbon, improve air quality and reduce flooding by slowing water flow during heavy rain.

Despite their importance, Calderdale's woodlands face many challenges, including climate change, disease and invasive species.

By working together, we will protect and restore Calderdale's woodlands:

• Partner with landowners, land managers and farmers to restore woodlands.
• Create and expand woodlands and hedgerows as part of the White Rose Forest Action Plan.
• Grow Calderdale's tree nursery projects to supply sustainable, high-quality and locally-sourced trees for restoration efforts.

How you can help

• Learn about tree planting on your land with the White Rose Forest.
• Volunteer your time to restore local woodlands. Get involved with:
  • Countryside volunteers.
  • ForUsTree.
  • National Trust's Hardcastle Crags.

Some of Calderdale's most loved wildlife is under threat. Like other parts of the country, we see a drop in wildlife numbers, which is a worry.

Changes in climate and the loss of habitats make it harder for wildlife to thrive. When habitats are restored it helps, but some animals and plants need extra support to survive and recover.

By working together, we will take action to protect Calderdale's wildlife:

• Gather information about local wildlife and create a Calderdale Species Inventory to track changes in numbers.
• Start conservation projects to help the most at-risk species recover.
• Follow the 'Code and Guidance for Species Reintroduction' to reintroduce missing species in a careful and ethical manner.

How you can help

Get involved and make a difference for wildlife in Calderdale!

Volunteer your time, join local groups and take action for nature:

• Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group.
• Code and Guidance for Species Reintroduction.
• Halifax Scientific Society.
• RSPB Huddersfield and Halifax Local Group.
• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.