Home / Environment / Goats Munch Invasive Plants in Dallas Park
Goats Munch Invasive Plants in Dallas Park
8 Feb
Summary
- 300 goats cleared 11 acres of invasive plants near White Rock Lake.
- Controlled grazing reduced soil disturbance and avoided machinery use.
- The project cost $15,000, comparable to mechanical clearing.
In Dallas, Texas, an innovative approach to invasive plant control has been implemented using a herd of 300 goats. These animals were introduced to clear approximately 11 acres of dense shrubs, primarily privet, near White Rock Lake. The strategy involved controlled grazing over roughly 10 days, with goats rotating through fenced sections of land.
This method offers several environmental advantages. By avoiding heavy machinery and fuel-powered equipment, it significantly reduces soil disturbance and pollution near sensitive water bodies. Goats are natural browsers that prefer woody plants, making them ideal for targeting invasive species that outcompete native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems.
The goatscaping operation was managed by professionals and monitored continuously, utilizing temporary fencing to guide the herd's progress. The initiative cost around $15,000 and lasted just over a week. Officials highlighted that this approach is part of a broader, ongoing management plan to control invasive regrowth and restore native plant diversity.
This nature-based solution is gaining traction across the United States, with cities and states employing goat grazing for land management in parks, wildfire prevention zones, and utility corridors, signaling a shift towards sustainable ecological practices.
