Scapegoat or Goatscaping: Goats the New Park Weed Warriors

Oct 24

Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren't go a-hunting, For fear of little men. --From Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Ah, the peaceful serenity of the park—birds chirping, trees rustling in the wind, and... wait, are those goats? Yes, folks, the hills are alive with the sound of bleating, and the latest eco-friendly trend in our local park isn't a new yoga class or a silent disco—it’s goats. Specifically, weed warrior goats. These four-legged lawnmowers are out in full force, munching on unwanted foliage like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

**Tri-color Spotted Goat**

**Upon seeing this lil fella reminded me of the story in the Bible about Jacob and the spotted and speckled goats.** And how his father-in-law **Laban** tricked him into working 20 years before he got to take **Rachel** as his wife.

**High On the Hill There was a Lonely Goat**

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

I recently went for my usual park Workout Wednesday with Sheila, expecting to see the usual joggers, dog walkers, and children flying off swings at breakneck speeds, but instead, I was greeted by an army of goats chowing down on the most rebellious of weeds. And let me tell you, these goats mean business. Forget pesticides—these eco-friendly champs are nature’s cleanup crew, taking care of invasive plants.

As I admired these goats chowing down on what looked like the salad bar of the apocalypse, I noticed something odd—a burro standing among them. You know, a donkey. He was just... there. No chomping, no munching, just chilling. So naturally, I had to wonder: what in the world is this guy’s job? I mean, sheep and goats are known to be great weed-eaters, but a burro. Was he lost? Did he miss the memo about it being a goats-only gig?

Intrigued, I did a little research and learned that burros are actually brought along as bodyguards for the goats. That’s right—this guy’s the park’s newest security detail. Turns out, burros have a no-nonsense attitude when it comes to predators, keeping coyotes and other goat-eating critters at bay. So while the goats are busy gobbling up the weeds, the burro’s job is to stand around looking tough, probably muttering something like, “Don’t mess with my goats,” in whatever language burros speak.

So, next time you’re enjoying a day at the park and hear a chorus of bleats echoing through the hills, know that you’re witnessing nature at its finest. The goats are the eco-heroes we never knew we needed, and the burro? He’s the unsung muscle keeping the operation running smoothly. Together, they’re fighting the war on weeds, one bite at a time.

**Park Signage About Goatscaping**

**Forget pesticides—these eco-friendly champs are nature’s cleanup crew, taking care of invasive plants**.

And if you’re wondering whether they take requests, well, I’m already thinking of asking them to swing by my backyard next. I’ve got some particularly stubborn dandelions that could use a goat intervention. I noticed an email and phone number on the sign.

Until then, happy munching, eco-warriors. Keep those hills alive and well!