Wild Seeds
The Challenge
Urban environments are increasingly disconnected from natural ecosystems. Biodiversity is under pressure, while opportunities for small scale ecological intervention often remain untapped. The challenge of the Wearable Rewilding Carrier was to explore how rewilding could become accessible, mobile and integrated into everyday life. At the same time, the project questioned how materials themselves can embody ecological values.
The Concept
The Wearable Rewilding Carrier was developed as a functional object designed to store and distribute seed bombs in a responsible way. Crafted from durable nettle fibre, the carrier holds and protects 25 to 30 seed bombs of 15 grams each. Its dual structure makes use of nettle’s natural qualities. The outer layer provides firmness to keep the seed bombs intact, while the interior remains flexible for comfortable wear.
The use of seed bombs responds to the practical challenge of storing and spreading seeds efficiently. By transforming loose seeds into compact units, planting becomes intuitive and immediate. Each seed bomb can simply be placed or thrown into soil, allowing natural processes to take over. Within the context of Smissenbroek, the seed bombs also function as tangible ambassadors, extending the mission into urban spaces where biodiversity is urgently needed.
Choosing nettle fibre was a deliberate material statement. Commonly perceived as a weed, nettle is a resilient and sustainable plant that supports pollinators, improves soil health and grows abundantly. Its fibres are both strong and soft, making them suitable for a wearable object while reframing perceptions around native plants and overlooked resources.
The Outcome
The Wearable Rewilding Carrier transforms rewilding from an abstract ecological ambition into a practical daily action. By combining material research, functionality and ecological storytelling, the project enables individuals to actively contribute to biodiversity. Rewilding becomes portable, visible and integrated into everyday movement, one seed bomb at a time.
