Archived News Release: May 31, 2019 - Goats from Twin Willow Ranch of Milan, Michigan, will be arriving to Gallup Park June 6. No, City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation isn't opening a petting farm at the popular Gallup Park; instead the goats will be on a work assignment. Ten goats in all will be busy over the course of three weeks “goatscaping," removing brush from the park's two islands.
The islands are normally accessible via foot bridge; but during the three-week goat initiative, June 6–June 27, the islands, and bridges, will be closed.
Goatscaping is an old-fashioned, eco-friendly and entertaining form of brush control. Goats like to eat invasive plants like honeysuckle and buckthorn; poison ivy (to which goats are not allergic as some humans are); and pretty much any green plant within reach. This pilot project is part of an ongoing effort to clear out the overgrowth and invasive shrubbery as park staff work toward a long-term maintenance plan.
“This is a great way to help promote native plants in our parks while, at the same time, decreasing the hours we spend on removing invasive brush," Parks and Recreation Maintenance Services Deputy Manager Scott Spooner explained. “This is not an area where we would use an herbicide. Everything would have to be removed by cutting and pulling, and the goats enable us to use that labor in other ways."
The goat initiative has an interactive component as well, for those curious about this work. GIVE 365 will be hosting three Goat Talk and Walk tours in conjunction with volunteer work days. How to participate in a tour, for more information about this initiative, including goat photos and their bios, and more is available at www.a2gov.org/goats-at-gallup.
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