Goats 'mow' Calgary parks in pilot program to control invasive weeds

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 onweeds and thistle as part of a pilot to test goats as a way to manageinvasive species in Calgary's parks.

"We have a whole schwack of breeds, from angora and boer to kiko," saidJeannette Hall, the professional herder managing the goats.

Hall, who ownsBaaah'd Plant Management and Reclamation, said theherd 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 manageweeds in other citiesbefore.Amazon even rentsoutgoat grazers.

Goats guarded by horses and dogs

Hall has a few other animals on staff including horses, one herding dogand three"guardian dogs."

"In the evening we have a Karstshepherd, which is a breed from Europe, and he's kind of our watchdog and our coyote chaser. And then we have a Great Pyrenees and a Maremma," said Hall.

"They're my most valued employees."

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Smart grazers

Rain or shine, these goatswill munch on weeds for hours over all sorts of terrain.

"Ithelps us manage weeds in tricky areas, such as along waterways or on steep slopes, where traditional methods are not appropriate,"ChrisManderson, urban conservation lead for Calgary Parks, said in a release.

The city also touts goats as an"alternative to pesticide use, their droppings fertilize the soil, and their hooves work the earth helping to till, aerate and condition the ground."

Hall adds they're also anideal animal for weed control because,unlike other species of livestock, they don't redistribute theinvasive speciesthrough theirfeces.

"They actually eat them and their stomach is so acidic, they just destroy the seeds," she said.

Not a petting zoo

While the park will remain open,the city isreminding the public to keep a "respectful distance" from the herd and their handers.

Dogs should also be kept onleashes where thegoats are present.

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Calgary Eyeopener6:54Goats munch on grass and weeds in Calgary city parks

A new pilot project will see a herd of goats deployed in Calgary's West Nose Creek Park to control the weeds in the park. Goat herder Jeannette Hall talks about the new plan.

Calgarians will likely be able to meet the shepherd, goats, dogs and horses at apublic meet and greet, which is being planned by the city at theend of the pilot project.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener