Unleash The Goats: Invasive Plant Species Are Problem At Pt. Reyes

Officials with Point Reyes National Seashore will begin an experiment next week to reduce the invasive plant species on about 12 acres of national parkland, the officials said.

• Get Patched in! Sign up for the daily newsletter from Napa Valley Patch

The experiment involves allowing goats to eat invasive plant species at the Historic D Ranch to gain control over the species and help park service officials maintain the site.

According to spokesman John Dell’Osso, park service officials are using the goats for the project because the goats will eat a variety of plants that cattle, elk and deer will not eat.

Officials hope the goats will consume wild radish, poison hemlock and a variety of plants with thistles.

[Related: Bus Service Starts Today To See Whales, Seals At Pt. Reyes. The shuttle runs through March. Perfect family activity!]

Using goats to treat vegetation at Point Reyes National Seashore is new, but officials at other park districts have used goats for invasive species control and fire fuel reduction. Officials at the seashore are planning to use a large number of goats during a short time period to treat the land.

The officials estimate that 100 goats can eat one acre of vegetation a day.

--Bay City News

--Image via Morguefile

Also on Patch:

Napa Man Found Hiding In Woods By Coastal Work Crew, Arrested

Man Killed In Hwy 12 Head-On Collision From El Verano

UCLA Researchers Make Melanoma Discovery

Couple Arrested Today After Allegedly Causing DUI Collision That Flipped Truck

Possible Kaiser, Nurses Union Pact Reached; Next Week’s Strikes Averted