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| Goats in an electric-fenced in area on the Edgewood College campus in Madison help crews clear invasive plant species by eating them. More than three dozen goats were on campus in late October clearing the plants. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
MADISON — For two weeks in late October, the Edgewood College campus had about 40 special guests, but they weren’t there to study.
Students, faculty, staff, and guests who walked near a wooded area on the southern part of the campus found a fenced area set up — for goats.
The goats were on hand to help the school’s Landscape and Grounds Department to clear invasive plant species along the shore of Lake Wingra.
The goats, quite simply, were brought in to eat the plants.
“People seem very excited about having them on campus,” said Susan Serrault, director of Facilities Operations, after the goats’ first day on the job. “There’s about 37 of them, ranging in sizes from the big to the small, and they’re fun little characters and they’re doing a good job so far.”
‘Green’ goats
The college worked with The Green Goats, an area company that rents goat herds to clear invasive weeds and brush, using no chemicals and leaving a low carbon footprint.
A representative from The Green Goats attended an event on the campus, and noticed the invasive plants. He approached campus Facilities Operations to see if they could work together to solve the problem. Two weeks later, the goats arrived.
An electric mesh fence surrounded the area where the goats did their work. During the day, they feasted on European buckthorn and honeysuckle. At night, they rested along the shore of Lake Wingra.
Got right to work
While crews were setting up the fence, the goats arrived and got right to work.
“The goats actually came in when they [Edgewood’s maintenance crew] were in there and, rather than coming to the people, the goats went directly to the buckthorn and honeysuckle and started eating right away,” said Serrault.
Volunteers and workers had helped the school clear the plants in the past, but, as Serrault said, “we needed that extra push to get ahead of it, and that’s why we solicited the help of these goats.”
College officials say they’re happy to have the goats because of the college’s continued commitment to sustainability.
“I know some ways invasive plant species are removed is through chemicals or cutting it down with various equipment, so this is very earth-friendly,” said Serrault.
The herd was expected to remain on campus for up to 14 days.