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[CULTURE] · Canada · 2 sources

Part of situation: Red Deer environmental conservation initiatives (2 clusters)

Red Deer uses goats to manage invasive weeds

invasive weed management goat program cicer milkvetch nature conservation Red Deer

More than 400 goats were deployed to the Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer to manage invasive weeds. The goats are primarily targeting cicer milkvetch, a spreading legume, in a field located south of the centre.

Jeannette Hall, owner of Baah’d Plant Management and Reclamation, noted that the goat program provides a cost-competitive alternative to hand-picking, mowing, or spraying. The method is particularly useful in sensitive areas near water and the bird sanctuary where other management techniques may be difficult or expensive to implement.

On October 2, the city hosted a ‘Meet and Bleat’ event, allowing residents to interact with the animals and learn about the ecological management process. City officials indicated that the goat program will continue for years to come.

Entities

Baah’d Plant Management and Reclamation · City of Red Deer · Kerry Wood Nature Centre · Red Deer

Sources

Hundreds of goats munch on invasive weeds at Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer [todayinbc.com]
Hundreds of goats munch on invasive weeds at Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer [reddeeradvocate.com]