Goats ‘Mow’ Calgary Parks in Pilot Program to Control Invasive Weeds
Author: Danielle Nerman
Dandelions and weeds are no match for these lawn mowers.
More than 100 goats arrived at Confluence Park (West Nose Creek) on Monday to start their new job for the City of Calgary.
For the next two weeks, they’ll be chomping down on weeds and thistle as part of a pilot to test goats as a way to manage invasive species in Calgary’s parks.
“We have a whole schwack of breeds, from angora and boer to kiko,” said Jeannette Hall, the professional herder managing the goats.
Hall, who owns Baaah’d Plant Management and Reclamation, said the herd is targeting about 16 weeds in the park, but will take care of “quite a few more.”
“It will make a heck of a difference. They work pretty quick,” she told the Calgary Eyeopener on Tuesday.
Goats have been used to manage weeds in other cities before. Amazon even rents out goat grazers.