Why Goats?
Using goats help manage the invasive plant species is a creative and green solution that helps the environment!
Goats for the Environment
Goats remove juvenile honeysuckle in early spring before native plants grow
Goats can reach places difficult for people and machines
A green alternative to herbicides that could harm the environment
While eating, goats also fertilize!
Goats eat many problem plants such as poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak
What We Did
Community Fun and Education
Goats are cute! On Goat Day, the Sustainability 150 class hosts information booths and activities for Maryville campus and the community. Visitors learn all about invasive species, green land management, and the importance of native species. And to watch the goats in action!
Goats eat the invasive honeysuckle
The key to using goats is timing, because goats eat a lot more than invasive plants. We bring our goats in early spring, when the honeysuckle plant is growing. After the goats clear the area, they head off to other jobs, and the native plant species begin to grow!
The many jobs of goats
Goats remove juvenile honeysuckle in early spring before native plants grow
Goats can reach places difficult for people and machines
A green alternative to herbicides that could harm the environment
While eating, goats also fertilize!
Goats eat many problem plants such as poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak
Fun Facts
Goats were one of the first animals to be domesticated by humans 9,000 years ago
Goats can be taught their name and to come when called
Baby goats are standing and walking within minutes of being born
Goats are picky eaters-they have sensitive lips they help them find clean food
Originally mountain animals which makes them extremely good climbers-they sometimes can be found in trees
Goats burp due to a portion in their body that breaks down plant material
Goats eat 25% of their body weight