After decades of caring for nature reserves across the county, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is used to balancing the sometimes-competing needs of people and nature, but one issue that has become particularly challenging is dogs on nature reserves.
Whilst some people believe that dogs shouldn’t be allowed on nature reserves, we’re keen to strike a balance. We’ve long permitted dogs ‘under close control’ - but increasing dog ownership, partly stoked by a rush to take up dog ownership during pandemic lockdowns; increasing problems with owners not keeping their dogs under control or picking up after them, led us to harden our policy. By the letter of the law, owners must keep their dogs under close control when in public. We now ask that dogs are always kept on a lead when visiting our sites.
On popular sites such as Idle Valley Nature Reserve, our nuanced policy shift has had little impact despite increases in signage and public statements. When the issue of dog management came out as one of the top issues highlighted by our Attenborough for All listening exercise (Attenborough is our oldest and most visited reserve), we decide to tackle it head on whilst ensuring responsible dog owners, and their pets, remained welcome to enjoy the reserve.
Given that 74% of visitors taking part in our surveys said that they feel more connected to nature as a result of visiting and over 50% say that their visits have inspired them to do something to help wildlife - our aim was to take a positive and balanced approach so that everyone, including responsible dog owners can lead wilder lives and continue to benefit from visiting the reserve and be inspired to act for nature.
Where possible we try to avoid re-inventing the wheel – so we reviewed a range of approaches used elsewhere. As only a proportion of owners cause problems, and many are just unaware of the impacts their dogs and their dogs’ deposits can have on nature and the environment; we chose to focus on engaging people with a view to changing their behaviour rather than a heavy-handed approach.
We were drawn to approaches that involved responsible dog owners as part of the solution. Before long we’d christened our new campaign ‘Lead by Example’ and set out to recruit a team of ‘Ambassadogs’ (and their owners!) to champion the scheme. Rather than being a gimmick, putting dogs and responsible owners at the heart of the campaign is designed to bring people with us and to challenge any perception that the Trust was ‘anti’ dog. We also felt that messages about the importance of keeping your dog on a lead and picking up after your dog would be more impactful if being demonstrated by dog owners that love our reserves.
Why is responsible dog walking important?
Even the most gentle and well-behaved dog is seen as a predator by wildlife. Birds, mammals, and reptiles may react with fear, using up vital energy trying to escape—even if the dog doesn’t chase them. This stress can reduce their chances of survival, especially during breeding season and harsh weather conditions.
Keeping your dog on a short lead when visiting a nature reserve can help prevent nest abandonment, especially by ground-nesting birds like skylarks, lapwings, and nightjars. Dogs wading into ponds or chasing through grass can trample fragile habitats, disturb hibernating species and even kill small creatures accidentally; curious dogs can also disturb or destroy the nests and shelters of small mammals such as hedgehogs and voles.
Keeping dogs on leads and away from wildlife also reduces the risk of dogs transmitting diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, and leptospirosis to wild animals. Our sites aren’t just nature reserves – they’re also home to conservation grazing livestock. Even the most well-trained dogs have an instinct to chase, which can cause stress, injury, or even pregnancy loss in grazing animals. It's also worth remembering that not everyone loves dogs – so by keeping your dog on a lead, you are ensuring your pet doesn’t impact on other visitors’ enjoyment. When it comes to picking up after your dog, dog poo left behind isn’t just unpleasant—it can contain parasites that can cause serious illness for animals but particularly in young children that encounter contaminated soil.
Rolling out the campaign
Whilst the impetus for developing the approach came from the Attenborough for All project, we’re keen to apply the learning to other reserves - and the scheme is being rolled out at Skylarks (at Holme Pierrepont) and Idle Valley (Retford), with scope to recruit and support volunteers elsewhere in future.
Lead by Example aims to encourage and rewarding visitors (and their dogs!) who support our work to provide spaces where wildlife can thrive, free from disturbance. Volunteers will demonstrate positive behaviour by keeping their dog on a lead and picking up after them and chatting to fellow dog owners in a friendly way about why responsible walking matters and rewarding those who do! Volunteers and their dogs will wear branded gear, hand out leaflets to help spread the message, and on occasions hand out treats and vouchers to encourage others to do the right thing. To reinforce the message about keeping dogs on leads and clearing up dog mess, we’ve also rolled out a range of new signage.
Get involved
We’re grateful to everyone who is already Leading by Example by keeping their dog on a lead when visiting nature reserves, and we’re hoping to encourage even more dog owners to do the same. We’re looking for volunteers with dogs to help us spread the message whilst visiting Attenborough, Skylarks and Idle Valley nature reserves – could this be you?
If you and your pup would like to join the pack, you can find out more at www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/lead-by-examples.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Tel: 0115 958 8242
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org
