Across the United States, a rather unconventional team of landscapers is garnering attention — goats. These animals, typically known for their insatiable appetite and quirky personalities, are now playing a crucial role in weed management and wildfire prevention. From the serene gardens of Fort Worth to the dry, fire-prone regions of California, goats are proving to be a sustainable, effective, and surprisingly charming solution.
Ann and Larry Cihanek from Rhinebeck were among the early adopters of using goats for weed control. Their journey began in 1994, when Larry, familiar with goats from his previous life in Carmel, introduced the animals to their new Fishkill property, much to Ann's initial dismay. Over time, the couple expanded their herd and ventured into the business of renting out goats. The breakthrough came in 2005 when a park on Staten Island faced a severe poison ivy problem. The Cihaneks' goats came to the rescue, efficiently clearing the invasive plant and paving the way for an eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemicals.
Fast forward to today, and Green Goats Rhinebeck, the Cihaneks’ company, boasts a herd of about 140 goats. These goats are in high demand across New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and even West Virginia. The animals are typically transported to various sites where they are fenced in and provided with shelter and water. From churches and golf courses to prestigious colleges like Vassar, Marist, and Bard, the goats are employed to sustain vegetation management ecologically.
While the Cihaneks were pioneering goat-based weed management in the Northeast, California was battling increasingly severe wildfires. Michael Choi, who runs Fire Grazers Inc., saw an opportunity similar to the Cihaneks'. His company rents out a herd of 700 goats to city agencies, schools, and private clients to clear brush and reduce fire fuel. As wildfires became more destructive, land management practices gained importance. Factors such as climate change and the accumulation of dead vegetation exacerbated fire risks, making traditional methods of brush clearing like herbicides and manual labor both expensive and environmentally damaging. Goats offered a viable alternative.
Karen Launchbaugh, an ecology professor at the University of Idaho, explains that goats are particularly suited for environments like California and the Mediterranean. Their narrow, deep mouths allow them to effectively harvest woody shrubs, and they can stand on their hind legs to reach vegetation up to 6.7 feet high. Additionally, goats possess the ability to detoxify harmful compounds, enabling them to consume poisonous plants without getting sick. This unique dietary capability makes them ideal for managing areas prone to wildfires.
Launchbaugh and other city officials have observed an increasing willingness to incorporate goats into wildfire mitigation strategies. Glendale, a city within Los Angeles County, hires goats to create buffer zones between residential areas and open land, reducing the immediate risk of fire spreading to homes. The goats’ voracious appetites help maintain these buffer zones by consuming dead vegetation and low-lying brush, which are prime fire fuel.
In West Sacramento, Jason Puopolo, parks operations superintendent, has been utilizing goats since 2013 for fire fuel reduction. These grazing herds visit twice a year, once in spring to clear growth from winter rains and once in autumn to address dry brush. The approach isn't just about fire prevention; it also significantly reduces workplace injuries by keeping staff away from high-risk areas.
Cities are not the only places benefiting from these natural weed-eaters. In Boulder County, Colorado, towns like Superior and Louisville employ goats to nibble away at weeds that could fuel future fires. These goats work tirelessly, fenced and guarded, on lands where traditional weed management would be either too dangerous or prohibitively expensive. The strategy paid off when, during the Marshall fire in December 2021, pre-cleared areas by goats helped slow the fire’s advance, potentially saving numerous structures and lives.
Fort Worth, Texas, also saw the ecological advantages of 'goatscaping'. The region hired a herd of 60 goats and sheep to manage invasive and aggressive native plant species at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. This pilot project, backed by a North Texas Community Foundation grant, aims to explore the long-term viability of using goats for vegetation management. By clearing out competitive plants, goats help increase biodiversity and reduce wildfire risk, while their waste enriches the soil.
While the results have been promising, experts like Launchbaugh and practitioners such as Choi acknowledge the limitations of goat grazing. Goats cannot distinguish between native and non-native species, and their care and transportation require considerable resources. Moreover, goats aren’t suitable for all terrains; in areas dominated by long grass, cows are often more effective. Nonetheless, goats have demonstrated their worth as a strategic, natural tool in the broader landscape management toolbox.
“This is a conscious effort to bring things back to their natural way of being,” says Choi. “And besides, they’re far more entertaining.” The communal and environmental benefits of using goats for weed and fire management are clear, and as more regions adopt this age-old practice, the role of these quirky animals in modern land management is set to grow.
