Inspired by a groundbreaking forest restoration initiative in Chile, the English town of Lewes has launched an innovative project to rewild a local urban nature reserve by enlisting the help of dog walkers. The reserve, heavily degraded by foot traffic, benefits from the natural behavior of dogs who, equipped with seed-filled saddlebags, spread wildflower seeds as they run through the woods. This method emulates the seed dispersal once performed by wolves, who roamed vast areas, inadvertently dropping seeds caught in their fur, which later germinated and supported biodiversity. The Railway Land Wildlife Trust, led by Dylan Walker, has adapted this rewilding strategy to utilize the large number of dog walkers frequenting the area, replicating the ecological role that larger herbivores and wild animals once played.
The project, initiated in 2019, involves filling the saddlebags with a mix of perennial plant seeds and sand to ensure effective seed dispersion over longer distances and to help track the dogs’ movements. Local dog walkers, like Cressida Murray and her chocolate cocker spaniel Bertie, have embraced this ecological mission, contributing to the restoration of native plant species in the reserve. This community-driven approach not only fosters engagement and environmental awareness among participants but also enriches the local environment. According to Walker, leveraging the enthusiasm and routine of dog walkers for rewilding efforts exemplifies how urban nature reserves can creatively address biodiversity challenges and reconnect people with the natural world.
