(KNSI) – Buckthorn and other invasive species have met their match in Quarry Park.
Stearns County is teaming up with Great River Greening, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to restore 90 acres of forest and wetland. The secret weapon to cleaning up such a vast area? An army of goats. Turns out the lovable four-legged creatures go gaga for buckthorn leaves.
Using the animals reduces the need for herbicide spraying. Another potential benefit is called under hoof seeding. Before the goats are released into Quarry Park, they’ll trudge through grass seed and naturally spread that once they are into the forest.
Great River Greening Senior Program Manager Wiley Buck says under hoof seeding, “closely mimics how native seed got soil contact with our historic elk and bison, so it’s a very natural seeding process. Plus, goat watching is very popular at other parks in central Minnesota.”
It is expected to take three years to thin Quarry Park of invasive species. You can volunteer to be a goat watcher by emailing goatdispatchinfo@gmail.com.
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