Dogs and Wolves
Dogs and Wolves: Saving nature in Lewes where dogs are behaving like wolves! In Lewes, dogs are on a mission to help the environment, and they’re doing it by acting like wolves! A long time ago, before wolves disappeared from the UK in the 1760s, they travelled across large areas every night, sometimes covering over 20 km. While they roamed, their fur collected seeds from wildflowers and grasses, which would later fall off and grow into new plants, spreading nature far and wide.
Now, in an amazing project—the first ever in the UK—the Railway Land Wildlife Trust has recruited local dog walkers to help bring back wildflowers to their nature reserve. The ingenuity is that the dogs wear specially designed backpacks that scatter carefully chosen native wildflower seeds as they walk. The backpacks have tiny holes, so seeds suitable for the landscape and soil conditions fall out as the dogs explore, helping wildflowers grow and thrive all around. Dylan Walker, the project manager, says: “This has been such a joyous experience. Local dog walkers have been incredibly supportive and positive about the project. Their involvement has been crucial in enhancing our nature reserve.” Dog owners have loved joining in. One said, “I joined the project because it seemed like a perfect match. I outfitted my dog, Bertie, with a harness and watched as he spread seeds just like the wolves did long ago. It’s a wonderful way to engage the community, and I thoroughly enjoyed participating.”
It’s great that this nature reserve and dogs can go hand-in-hand so happily. Understandably, the more we become disconnected from nature, the more people want to be with dogs so the number of domestic dogs is soaring, and sometimes in the spring and summer, ground nesting birds can be disturbed and their eggs destroyed when dogs are running freely off their leads. In the South Downs National Park, dogs’ urine is causing the soil to become more acidic, and the ecosystem is being affected. Carelessly dropped colourful plastic dog poo bags can be an issue when they are not disposed of thoughtfully because in many wild areas there are no bins, so it would be great if dog owners could plan ahead for this inevitable issue! Even when there are dog poo bins available they can be a real jarring eyesore in amongst the beautiful green areas where people are looking to connect with wildlife.
The ingenious Japanese have created ‘doggie parks’ to help town and city families by enabling them to rent a dog or even one per child for a special family day out enjoying a stroll in beautiful surroundings with specially selected dogs. This and our local project, allows dog walkers to enjoy and even make a positive contribution to the natural environment in a very simple way which. can bring enjoyment to everyone who visits. Hurrah for creative solutions!
Our next Sussex Green Hub is on 30 November. We look forward to seeing you there. The Community Fridge will be available from 10am at the United Reformed Church, Springfield Road.
By Carrie Cort
