Goats munch on invasive species in Ottawa parks

There is a sign just off the trail at Eastmanville Bayou. It reads: “Warning: Goats at work.”

As part of its effort to control invasive species in its parks, Ottawa County has employed the quirky creatures to conduct “prescribed browsing” in local public spaces over the past few years. Containing the animals within paddocks they want grazed, county staff let the goats roam for weeks at a time as they all but clear these designated areas of the nonnative vegetation.

“They have amazing temperaments,” Melanie Manion, natural resources management supervisor at Ottawa County Parks and Recreation, said. “We just have got six awesome goats.”...

FUN READ...

   ...more