[ECO]Dogs Help Rewild Urban Lewes in East Sussex

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Dogs help rewild urban Lewes in East Sussex

In an innovative approach to urban conservation, dogs are stepping into a new role as nature’s helpers at the Lewes urban nature reserve in East Sussex, ***. Rewilding, the practice of restoring natural ecosystems and biodiversity, takes a unique twist in this project with the aid of canine companions. These dogs aren’t just pets; they’re partners in spreading life across the urban landscape by dispersing wildflower seeds.

When wolves roamed the area, they would typically walk around 20km or more each night. When the wolves roamed, they would pick up wildflowers and grass seeds in their fur. These seeds would be dispersed many miles away, helping to establish new colonies of plants. Unfortunately, due to deforestation and active hunting, wolves went extinct in the *** in the 1700s.

Seed dispersal is crucial for the health and diversity of ecosystems. It allows plants to colonize new areas, ensuring genetic diversity and supporting a variety of wildlife. In urban environments like Lewes, where green spaces are limited, encouraging wildflowers can provide essential habitats for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

To restore the area to its natural state, the

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in Lewes, in collaboration with the Ouse Valley Climate Action, recruited ten **** owners and equipped their dogs with seed-filled backpacks to help reseed the landscape. They sent the dog walkers to a wooded area in the nature reserve that had lost most of its ground vegetation, including grasses and wildflowers.

These backpacks are lightweight and comfortable for the dogs to wear, ensuring they can move freely while dispersing seeds as they explore the reserve. The backpacks have holes in them to help the dogs ******** the seeds. The seeds are also mixed with sand, which helps the seeds go further and helps the project organizers to track where the dogs are depositing the seeds.

Why dogs? Dogs generally like to roam around and explore new places. They can also reach *******-to-access areas that humans cannot typically access, which allows the seeds to spread more widely across the landscape. This strategy also ensures that germination is more effective.

Additionally, while

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projects usually involve big herbivores like bison, it’s hard to do that in smaller areas like the urban nature reserve in Lewes. That’s why the project managers thought of using animals (and their owners) who visit the nature reserve on a regular basis.

Although this is the first time this project is happening in the ***, it is inspired by a similar project from Chile in 2019. After areas had been devastated by wildfires, two women and their three dogs set out to plant seeds in areas across the country that had been affected.

The project in the *** is still in its early stages, and most of the seeds distributed by the dogs are perennials, so the results will only become obvious as early as next spring.

This

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project is helping to engage and teach people about wildlife’s ecological impacts. It is also helping to change dogs’ image by turning them into semi-wild partners who are working with us to protect species and habitats.

The Lewes urban nature reserve project marks a significant step forward in urban conservation efforts. By harnessing dogs’ natural instincts and involving the community in rewilding efforts, the project not only enhances biodiversity but also strengthens bonds between residents and their environment. Looking ahead, there is optimism for the reserve and its wildlife’s future, with hopes that similar initiatives will blossom in cities globally, creating healthier and more vibrant urban landscapes for generations to come.

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