Spotting Goats?

John Botume House, Stoneham, Massachusetts

Once again, Stoneham Volunteers are joining with DCR in clearing the land surrounding the John Botume House on Woodland Road . Volunteers answered the call of an opportunity to meet and great goats. Four goats will be working the land to clear it of invasive plants.

The job of the people is to make sure the goats have food, water and a bit of TLC. (Ttender Loving Care.)

Following a bit of paperwork and an explanation from the Stoneham Volunteer Organization leaders and DCR Park Rangers as to rules and regulations, the evening continued with a meet and greet session for both the new volunteers and the goats.

Two of the four goats on the property taking a look at humans who will be helping out ihese next few months.

Introductions were made. Humans and animals surveyed each other. "Lily," a Saugus resident and kindergarten student of St. Mary's in Melrose, Ma showed her skills as a compassionate caretaker.

"Lily" - the goat whisperer.

Only three of the four goats on the property came out to meet "their" people. The fourth was discovered under the brush taking a rest - or maybe the goat was a bit frightened of first introductions.. It was Lily who talked the goat out of its hiding place, leading it around the corner to participate in the June 3rd event. Her mother, "Chrystal," commented as Lily rounded the corner, " Lily, what are you- a Goat Whisperer?"

A bit sleepy but followed Lily on the path.

Some goats, to the delight of the Stoneham Volunteer leaders and DCR Rangers then began to show off their job skills in clearing the land, which will eventually be turned into a pollinator garden,

A tough job but these goats can handle it.

Many cellphones were on hand as well as other styles of cameras.

It was learned that some gots even enjoy having their image preserved as they stand with the humans who take "selfies" with the animals.

This goat loves having its "selfie" taken.

Other goats enjoying the evening wandered around the pen

Striking a pose for the camera before getting back to munching on invasive plants on the property.

Volunteers also paused for group photo with Stoneham Volunteers and DCR Park Rangers, "Jason" and "Angela."

The "crew."

Volunteers are scheduled and had to sign up and attend a training session before being allowed to assist with the feeding and making sure the goats have plenty of water..

However, if you are interested in learning more about the program and/or visiting the goats, please contact either the Stoneham Volunteer Organization or Middlesex Fells DCR Park Rangers. The property is open on Saturdays. Check for opening and closing times.

More about the Goat Project in Stoneham

The founder of the Stoneham Volunteers, Rachel Rennard, says while the organization she is involved with is sponsoring the two week goat project it is actually the brainchild of Middlesex Fells Park Supervisor Gillian Lay."I heard Gillian talking about it at Park Serve Day last year and told her that I would love to sponsor the goats through Stoneham Volunteers. Since then the idea for a pollinator garden bloomed as we are both very interested in preserving native bees and butterflies."

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is also involved with the project, According to Rennard, Lay is in charge of getting the proper paperwork and permits, "DCR is orchestrating it ( the goat project) meaning Gillian is doing all of the work to make this happen."

As to the work ethics of the goats, they take their job seriously. The goats are rented from Goatscaping Company. The goats live on the Colchester Neighborhood Farm located in Plympton, MA.

A press release from DCR lists a job description as to the expectations of what the goats are to accomplish, Basically, they are expected to clear the patch of land within their pen by eating and digesting the invasive plants. "On the menu for the goats are stubborn invasive plants, such as Oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose, and porcelain-berry. Invasive plants are non-native species that tend to grow and spread rapidly, out-competing native species and reducing biodiversity."

Rennard states though the goats were fairly successful in their first year of the project and all involved hope to see even more invasive plants disappear this year. "We plan to create an area filled with indigenous plants attractive to native bees, butterflies, and birds. The goats were at the same location last year and made a dent, but they didn’t finish the job. One important thing to note is that it is important for the goats to clear invasive plants before the plants bear fruit. Sometimes berries survive the goats’ digestive systems and then are redistributed under very fertile conditions This would exacerbate the very problem we are trying to solve! With this in mind, the goats are here early in the growing season."

The stakes are set a bit higher this year for the goats, Rennard explained ,"We have the goats for a full 2 weeks. If they clear the area, we will certainly take advantage of their eating skills to clear other areas. I imagine that they will not complete their work at the site within 2 weeks, but we will be impressed if they do!".

Initial thoughts concerning the project were of restoring the area to an apple orchard as in previous years. " but a state ecologist, Rennard said, suggested that apple trees would be too high-maintenance—especially for such a low resource project as this (the project is funded primarily through donations—here is a GoatFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/goat-fund-me-goat-mania-returns)"

Should our readers decide to visit the property, speak to the Park Rangers regarding where the goats are located and say hello to DJ North,Nancy, Fetta and Billie Rae.

Rennard gives the credit for naming the goats, to "Amanda Oliphant (she calls herself the goat biographer). These will be posted at the site this week"

Stop by, visit the property, say hello to the goats and watch them work.