The English town of Lewes is enlisting the help of dogs and their owners to rewild a local reserve that was heavily degraded by foot traffic. The project uses the natural tendency of dogs to wander in the woods to spread wildflower seeds from saddlebags strapped around the dog’s belly. As the dogs run around and enjoy following the numerous smells and sights in the park, they spread wildflower seeds along the way.
The idea mimics the function that wolves once played in England. When roaming over vast distances, grass and flower seeds get stuck in their fur, only to fall off and germinate elsewhere. This random seed spreading is actually how many plants evolved, and its key to maintaining a biodiverse and native landscape. Now, the dogs and people who once trampled the land are the solution to building it back up and restoring a healthy ecosystem.
