For two weeks starting May 1, a herd of 120 goats and sheep will be eating vegetation in and around the Fuel Management Trails in Quesnel.
The city’s Forestry Initiatives Program has partnered with Black Sheep Brushing and their team of goats to help reduce wildfire risk and combat invasive plants.
“The goats are moved around strategically to reduce the amount of grass and other green vegetation that will cure and dry and increase the fire hazard as the summer moves forward,” says Erin Robinson, the forestry initiatives manager for the City of Quesnel.
Concerns over emissions of conventional mowing and brushing equipment, pesticide and herbicide use, and other chemical effects on the ecosystems, have led many to contemplate “earth-friendlier” options when managing the landscapes we call home, said Robinson A safe (and adorable) alternative to many of our fueled and chemical treatments is using goats for grass, weed, and brush control.
The goats will be available for the public to see on May 10 and May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon beside the Fuel Management Trail parking lot.
Owner-operators Bonnie Zawanda and Tom Roberson will be on hand to answer questions. Robinson asks that dogs are kept away from the herd during visiting hours on May 10 and 11 and remind all dogs that they must be leashed while using the Fuel Management Trails.
If livestock isn’t an option for keeping your property clear of fire fuels, FireSmart recommends the following:
· Regularly mow and water grass within 10 metres around your home and other structures.
· Prune evergreen tree branches two metres from the ground if they are within 30 metres of your home.
· Remove all combustible materials (twigs, dry grass, logs and leaves) within 10 metres of your home.
· Do not use bark or pine needle mulch around your home as they are highly flammable.
Robinson thanks the Community Resilience Investment Program for their generous support of this initiative.