HOW DOGS WEARING BACKPACKS ARE HELPING TO REWILD AN ENGLISH WOODLAND

Lewes, England — Nestled in a small town about two hours south of London, the Lewes Railway Land urban nature reserve is bustling with life, including many people and their canine companions.

“We welcome the many visitors to the reserve, including dog walkers,” Dylan Walker from the Railway Land Wildlife Trust, which oversees the green space, told CBS News. “However, this high level of foot traffic does impact the habitat.”

Despite its popularity, the reserve has faced challenges over the years, including the loss of some native plant species. But Walker is optimistic about restoring its biodiversity.

“We were pondering what actions we could take,” Walker explained. The solution came in the form of a specially designed backpack for dogs.

“We’ve got a mix of native wildflower and grass seeds, along with sand, that we’ll place inside the pack,” Walker explained. He emphasized the importance of using seeds native to the region to ensure they blend well with the natural environment.

The pack features small holes that allow the seeds to disperse as dogs walk around.

Ruthie Martin tried it out with her daughter’s golden doodle during a visit to the reserve.

“They don’t seem to mind the packs on their backs,” Martin said of the furry seed spreaders.

“It’s fantastic to have a project like this where we can use our cherished pets to mimic the behavior of wild animals,” Martin said.

The concept originated from two sisters in Chile, whose dogs, outfitted with backpacks, have been aiding in the reforestation of areas devastated by wildfires.

In the U.K., organizers estimate it may take a few years to fully assess the impact of this pilot project on the reserve.