During this past week, starting on June 21st, goats were hired to combat invasive plant species at the 1000 Islands Nature Center in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
You can watch a video and read more HERE.
Thousand Islands first used goats to eat invasive plants in 2018, when nine goats from Mulberry Lane Farm arrived at the center. Ridding the grounds of the invasive species allows the native plants to grow and thrive.
Read additional information from the 1000 Islands website HERE.
“While other methods of control are available, they come with risks that could result in more harm than good being done. Because of 1000 Islands’ location along the Fox River, using chemical control could contaminate the Fox River ecosystem as well as other native plant species. Mechanical control is a means of removing each plant by hand, which is both timely and costly. For these reasons, staff at 1000 Islands believe that the goats could offer an effective alternative to safely remove the invasive species.”
Today, June 25th, is the last day for the goats to grab a lunch of obnoxious weeds at 1000 Islands, but no doubt they will be back here and in other areas of the state, such as Wausau, to provide a valuable service to communities and the native landscape.
“Welcome to the “We are the World Blogfest” (#WATWB ). The #WATWB was inspired by a simple conversation about how all the negativity on social media was weighing on us. Wanting to make a difference we decided to try to do our part to infuse social media with all the good stories that are out there. We hope to share the stories that show kindness, compassion, hope, overcoming challenges and in general, the impressive resilience of the human spirit. For every dark, negative story out there, there is a positive, heartwarming story that will add some light and lift the human spirit.” ~Belinda Witzenhausen~
If you would like to join in with posting for #WATWB or simply spread some joy on Facebook or Twitter, please click HERE for more information, guidelines and the hosts for this month’s event. You can go HERE to be part of the #WATWB Community Facebook page, where monthly posts congregate for your reading pleasure.
The June post falls on Friday, 25th, 2021 – Sylvia McGrath (https://www.professorowlsbookcorner.com ) and Belinda Witzehausen (https://www.BelindaWitzenhausen.com/) will be co-hosting.
Mary J Melange 
These guys do a great job! That is so much better then spraying chemicals. I wish I could let a few loose in my neighbor’s yard.
I am sure, Dan, there are a number of yards and wild areas that could use hungry goats to take care of the obnoxious plants and weeds. And they could fertilize too!
Haha!
Go goats!
Rah-rah-rah! 🙂
so cute and a win-win!
I love goats, Beth, especially the little ones, but glad they are of such benefit to the nature center.
me too, all of that –
Finally, an intelligent solution!
It’s good for the environment to be smart about this, and it’s fun for the kids and adults to watch the goats at work.
I do love a good goat story. Such a sensible solution.
Right, Ally! We need goat power, not nasty chemicals.
Bless the goats Mary, they’re so lovely and marvellous helpers! 💛🐐
I imagine the goats are enjoying their feast as well! 🙂
A perfect solution to a real problem… I’m so glad they have gone the “natural” route!!
It’s really a great cost and labor saving way to get rid of the invasive plants and so fun to watch them work.
GOAT – Greatest Of All Time! Wonderful post Mary. Good on the goats! Thank you!
Yes, the goats are great, Susan, and you’re welcome!
Love this eco-friendly idea, brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB. Sending you wishes for a wonderful week!
I love goats, Belinda, so this was a no-brainer for June. Have an awesome week!
A more positive take on the saying “Get your goat!” How fabulous to use goats rather than chemicals! I wish I could bring them in to do my yardwork! Thanks for sharing this neat story.
You’re welcome, Lizbeth! Who wouldn’t love a goat or two to take care of the weeding? 🙂
Goats are a unique combination of adorable and useful. Great post, Mary J. Hugs on the wing!
Thanks Teagan! Sending goat bleats and hugs back to you!