Goats Remove Invasive Species in Eastpines Forest

Sometimes the most effective solutions are also the most joyful.

As part of our restoration work at the Eastpines Community Forest, we brought in a hardworking herd of goats to tackle invasive species that have overtaken trees and native plants.

Using goats is an herbicide-free way to manage invasives, reduce soil disturbance, and add nutrients back to the soil.

By waiting until native plants had dropped their leaves, we ensured the goats focused only on invasive foliage.

With those invasives gone, our team can now more easily remove vines choking mature trees and give native plants a stronger chance to thrive come spring.

This is just one step in our strategy to restore and maintain this community asset using ecologically sensitive methods.

Our goat partner was Browsing Green Goats. Funding was by Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (CBT SS) and the Esther A & Joseph Klingenstein Fund.