SUNDRE – Who needs obnoxiously noisy, expensive, fuel-consuming and polluting lawn maintenance equipment when Mother Nature already provides the means to manage the growth of grass and weeds?
As a result of a new initiative that stems from a local couple’s proposal to the municipality, goats are being pastured on Sundre’s east side at a town-owned property destined to be developed by phases over several years into a four-season campground and passive use outdoor recreation area.
In a press release issued late last week, town officials announced the municipality had been approached by the local couple who pitched the idea to use goats to manage grass and weed growth on the property.
“The initiative is being touted as a sustainable and environmentally responsible way to manage the land,” reads part of the statement.
“The local couple are providing the goat services, including transportation to and from the grazing location, protection from predators, and any additional feeding. The 37-acre parcel of land has had electric wires installed to keep the goats on the property, and they are protected by a donkey from potential predation.”
Mayor Richard Warnock was quoted in the presser saying the new program, which started last week, is mutually beneficial to all involved for multiples reasons. Not only does the initiative provide the animals with land to graze, but “goats can (also) clear overgrown, fire hazardous areas, open green spaces and hard to access trails (all) without the use of machinery or poisons.”
Additionally, he said, “goat hooves are excellent at helping aerate soil.”
Town staff will be responsible for providing the goats with water on a daily basis, and residents are asked to respect the animals, avoid touching the electrical fence surrounding the parcel perimeter, and to ensure that no dogs enter the property while the goats are on site.
