Eco-Friendly Ground Maintenance: Discovering the EPA's Innovative Goat-Based Landscaping Technique
In a unique and innovative approach to landscaping, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Rhode Island has been employing a herd of goats, known as 'goatscapers', since 2016. These four-legged workers have replaced traditional landscaping tools like lawnmowers and weedwhackers, offering a more eco-friendly and efficient solution.
The benefits of goatscaping are manifold. For starters, goats are excellent at controlling unwanted vegetation, including invasive weeds and tough brush like kudzu, often clearing dense weeds faster than mechanical or chemical methods. In fact, 44 goats can devour dense weeds in just a few days.
Moreover, goatscaping is a chemical-free alternative to herbicides and heavy machinery, reducing chemical use and environmental impact while avoiding soil disturbance associated with mechanical clearing. This makes goatscaping an ideal choice for improving soil health, promoting nutrient recycling, and reducing soil compaction and erosion compared to traditional methods.
The versatility of goats is another significant advantage. They can access steep or rugged areas where machinery cannot operate safely, making them ideal for land management in challenging landscapes. Goats also complement other livestock in grazing systems, reducing parasite populations and minimizing soil disruption.
Integrating goats into farm or land management systems can generate additional income from livestock production alongside landscaping benefits. At the EPA's Narragansett facility, the goats arrive annually, brought in by a local organization. Each year, the facility welcomes a crew of goats, including Holly, Liberty, Jacob, Genora, Sunny, Agent Jay, Luna, Cinnamon, Ravon, Franky, Aang, Toff, Eska, Socka, Zuko, Bill, Richie, Kevin, Tina, and Lola.
The goats are popular among EPA staff and researchers, who appreciate their calming bleats compared to loud lawn equipment. The neighbours of the facility also enjoy the quieter environment during the goats' visits. In addition, goats leave behind a source of fertilizer, improving the nutrients in the soil.
The use of goats for landscaping offers a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective approach by leveraging their natural grazing habits to manage vegetation while improving soil health and reducing environmental harm compared to traditional mechanical or chemical methods. The EPA's Narragansett laboratory in Rhode Island is a testament to this, eliminating the need for pesticide use in landscaping and promoting a healthier, more diverse ecosystem.
In 2024, the goats will visit the EPA's Narragansett facilities twice, once in June and again in August. Goatscaping not only improves biodiversity and restores native plants but also reduces the amount of fuel needed for landscaping equipment, making it a win-win solution for a greener future. As Russell Ahlgren, an EPA-er, stated, "The goats provide an environmentally responsible means of maintaining the landscape."
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Rhode Island, by employing goats known as 'goatscapers' since 2016, has introduced a unique method for landscaping that promotes sustainability and efficiency, replacing traditional landscaping tools.
- Goatscaping offers several advantages, such as controlling unwanted vegetation, including invasive weeds, through a chemical-free approach, thereby improving soil health and promoting nutrient recycling.
- The versatility of goats makes them optimal for land management in challenging landscapes, as they can access steep or rugged areas where machinery cannot operate safely.
- Integrating goats into home-and-garden or farm management systems not only provides landscaping benefits but also generates additional income from livestock production, offering a sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly lifestyle choice.
