If you’re out for a stroll on the Lower Finkbine trail, you may be sharing the space with some friendly four-legged landscapers. Starting earlier this week, a herd of goats has been hard at work supporting the native prairie ecosystems along the path. 

Landscape Services is working with Go At It Land Stewardship, a goat-powered targeting grazing business owned by Tamra and Ryan Elliott to restore three native prairie plots near Finkbine Golf Course.  

The targeted native prairie plots are on a slope south of the recreation trail. Invasive species in the area have caused vegetation buildup that prevents native species from getting the resources they need to grow. While native prairies typically rely on regular burns to clear the of built-up vegetation known as “duff,” this location poses several challenges that make controlled burns difficult. When burns aren’t possible, targeted grazing is a great all-natural alternative to clear unwanted vegetation.  

By mimicking the grazing habits of deer and elk, goats manage excess vegetation more gently than other methods like mowing, while naturally fertilizing and supporting a healthy prairie ecosystem. 

Go At It selects goats based on their individual grazing habits to target unwanted species in the area. The slope is grazed in sections, using fencing to guide them. To prevent erosion, the goats don’t spend too much time in one section, and the number of goats in a section is limited. 

It will take 15-25 goats between one and two weeks to clear the area of excess vegetation. After the goats have cleared the area of excess duff, Landscape Services will be able to enter and manage the remaining native species as needed. In the spring, native species will have adequate space and sunlight to grow.  

During this work, the Lower Finkbine Trail remains open, so you can see the goats in action while they still have plants to munch!