Runfold Ridge volunteers mark dog waste to protect wildflowers

Volunteers at Runfold Ridge, near Farnham, identified 504 piles of dog waste in just 40 minutes during a recent awareness campaign. To highlight the issue, participants used eco-friendly temporary orange paint to mark the waste, making it highly visible to visitors.

Countryside Ranger Matt Bennett and 10 children from the Hive Helpers Youth Group led the initiative. The campaign aims to encourage responsible dog ownership and protect the local ecosystem. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in dog waste can over-fertilize the ground, allowing nutrient-loving grasses to outcompete the native wildflowers that the Land Trust is working to restore on the site.

Mr. Bennett stated that the goal is not to shame owners but to raise awareness, hoping the public will recognize the problem through the visible orange markers. There are plans to make this an annual event to monitor whether waste levels decrease over time.