Lebanon Hills Regional Park
How goats help us fight back against invasive species in Lebanon Hills Regional Park!
Grazing goats offer a natural and eco-friendly solution for controlling invasive species, thanks to their unique dietary preferences. Our past work at Lebanon Hills has included the browsing of 63 Kiko breed goats to help control invasive species on 30 acres.
Why? These goats ate the tips of twigs, buds, and bark off invasive species including buckthorn. This work opens up the understory, allowing more native plants to grow this coming spring.
The impact? The chewed-on plants are now stressed and likely will struggle to re-sprout in the spring, a positive to all the native plants that will take their place!
Partnerships (with goats and people!) make it happen
Great River Greening worked in collaboration with Dakota County Parks and their volunteer group called the “Chew Crew” that helped inform park visitors on goat activity. Funding for this was provided in part by the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund. Goats were contracted through Diversity Landworks.
Support Great River Greening’s mission to restore resilient landscapes and
address biodiversity loss in urban and rural natural areas across Minnesota.
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Where:
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
860 Cliff Road
Eagan, MN 55123
Photo Credits: Thanks to our volunteer photographer Phil Davies. Additional photos/video by staff members Becca Tucker, Melissa Greenwood, and Julie Baumeister.