Inspired by an innovative forest restoration project in Chile, the English town of Lewes is getting creative with its rewilding efforts. The Railway Land Wildlife Trust has started a unique initiative that enlists local dog walkers to help rewild a heavily degraded urban nature reserve.
Using specially designed saddlebags filled with wildflower seeds, these furry helpers are mimicking the natural seed-spreading behavior of wolves. This clever strategy takes advantage of dogs’ natural inclination to run around, spreading seeds across the reserve as they go.
The idea harks back to the days when wolves roamed England, carrying seeds in their fur and aiding in plant reproduction and biodiversity. With wolves long gone, this project aims to replicate their ecological role, supporting a diverse and native ecosystem.
“We’re really interested in rewilding processes, but they often involve reintroducing big herbivores like bison or wild horses,” said Dylan Walker, the project manager from the Railway Land Wildlife Trust. “In a smaller urban nature reserve, it’s really hard to do those things. So, to replicate the effect that those animals have on the ecosystem, we aimed to utilize the vast number of dog walkers that visit the nature reserve daily.”
Dog walkers like Cressida Murray are enthusiastic about the project. “I signed up because it sounded like such a good fit. I was asked to place a harness on my chocolate cocker spaniel called Bertie, and he ran around spreading seeds like wolves used to do many years ago,”
This community-driven initiative not only helps restore local ecosystems but also educates the public about the importance of wildlife and environmental conservation. By engaging dog walkers in the rewilding process, the Railway Land Wildlife Trust is making significant strides in rewilding urban spaces and fostering a richer, more biodiverse environment.
So next time you see a pooch with a peculiar harness in Lewes, know that they’re on a mission to help nature thrive!
Let’s spread the word and the seeds!
