Meet our Team

Anthony studied zoology at Oxford University, graduating with a BA (Hons), then went on to Cambridge, for his Ph.D.. He was post-doctoral Research Fellow in behavioural ecology at Peterhouse, Cambridge, and became docent in Stockholm University’s Ethology Department in 1985. Anthony is a keen field biologist and has studied insects, amphibians, birds and mammals in various locations throughout the world. He has published his work widely in academic books and journals. Since retiring from academia, natural history continues to be Anthony’s chief pastime. Anthony has recently developed several mobile phone Apps for recording local habitats and wildlife. He is currently Chair of the Halifax Scientific Society, which is a participant in the Wilder Calderdale Partnership.

Cath lives in Todmorden where she is very active in the community and is mum to two teenage girls. In her day job, for the last 25 years, Cath is a social worker. She has been involved in animal welfare, wildlife protection and environmental causes since her teens, and is currently treasurer and committee member of Calderdale Badger Protection Group. She is also on the council of Halifax Scientific Society natural history group. Cath is enthusiastic about our local ecology. As a director of Bridestones Rewilded she is looking forward to involving all parts of our community in protecting and enhancing our fantastic natural environment. See: Calderdale Badgers Facebook page and website here.

Andrew is a freelance field ornithologist and ecologist, specializing in moorland birds. He is acutely aware of the importance of protecting our moorlands from inappropriate management. Andrew has helped Halifax Birdwatchers set up a bird reserve at Ringstone Edge Reservoir, to provide a small breeding area for Little Ringed Plover and other waders. Since 1999 he has contributed every year to the Halifax Birdwatchers Annual Report and takes part in the Hen Harrier Roost Survey and contributes to the Northern England Raptor Group. Andrew also records dragonflies, butterflies and moths for the Halifax Scientific Society. He recently published The Butterflies and Moths of Calderdale and is Admin for several local WhatsApp Groups, helping local people to identify wildlife in Calderdale. See Andy’s blog here .

Steve works for the National Trust as a surveyor of ancient grasslands, focusing on mycological and botanical diversity. He is the manager of the Volunteer Survey Group at Hardcastle Crags and is the plant and fungi recorder for the local natural history group, Halifax Scientific Society. Steve has many years of experience surveying all local habitats for Local Wildlife Site criteria. He has a small farm which he manages for biodiversity and has volunteers from across the world staying to learn and share skills and experiences. Steve has lived in Calderdale for twenty years. “It's an amazing place” says Steve, “and I want to make sure that its important habitats are conserved and enhanced”. Learn more here.

Amy has run her own consultancy company since 2012, supporting the community and voluntary sector to “Do Good, Better”. She has worked with a large range of organizations and funders including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, WWF-UK, Kew Gardens and the Premier League Charitable Fund. “I believe nature is hugely important for our mental and physical health,” says Amy, “but unfortunately, those who would benefit most from connecting with nature have the least opportunity to do so. We need to get more people connecting and benefiting from being closer to nature.” As well as nature, Amy loves a spreadsheet and a business plan. “I know they often make the difference between good ideas and good projects”. More information on Amy’s work is available here.

Jennie is a freelance nature photographer. “I like to photograph anything and everything to do with nature” says Jennie.. “This has led me to a great appreciation and respect for nature and wild places”. Every spring Jennie takes part in Todmorden’s “Toad Patrol”, in which volunteers rescue frogs, toads and newts on their way to breeding ponds. Jennie is part of NT Hardcastle Crags project, to preserve 400 acres of mixed woodland in West Yorkshire. She is a council member of Halifax Scientific Society’s natural history group which brings people and nature together. Jennie lives on the doorstep of Bridestones Moor in Todmorden. She wishes to protect, conserve, and recover local landscapes and heritage for generations to come. Find out more about Jennie and her photography here.