We have had a brilliant time working with Dylan Walker from Wilderlife, exploring how we can re-create the impacts of lost species and bring a degraded piece of woodland back to life. Having coppiced like beavers, rootled like wild boar and encouraged dogs to spread seed like wolves, we are now watching change come about...
The 'beaver coppicing' has brought pools of light into the woodland and created islands of timber on the ground, which have in turn gently created pathways through the woodland where it was previously completely open and the ground uniformly bare and compacted. The 'boar rootling' has created loads of mini habitats for bugs, and made germination of woodland flowers and grasses easier. The 'wolf reseeding' has been a wonderful way to engage really positively with dog walkers - turning an issue that can sometimes be problematic on its head. There has been some germination and it might take a few seasons to really make a change. As some areas see less footfall, (and more rootling!), conditions for seed to germinate will improve, whether it's put there through natural processes or by our canine friends!
If you're a dog owner, please bear in mind that the 'wolf reseeding' was done as a trial on a carefully selected and closely monitored area - please don't strap seed harnesses to your dogs and encourage them to spread seed when you are out on walks, it has the potential do more harm than good! You can read more about dogs on the Railway Land here.
If you are involved with a local green space and would like to find out more, or share ideas, please get in touch!
Funded by the National Lottery through the Ouse Valley Climate Action project
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