When it comes to grounds keeping, Niagara College has come up with a ‘baa-rilliant’ solution.
You herd it right: Niagara College will welcome goats to munch away excess vegetation.
From October 15 to 21, a local contractor will bring a herd of 40 goats to the Greenlung area of the Welland Campus to tackle overgrowth behind the Applied Health Institute.
Greenlung area marked.
“This target grazing initiative is part of a comprehensive management plan to maintain campus grounds in a way that is low-impact and sustainable,” said Bill Rainey, Senior Director, Facilities Management and Campus Safety. “Our goal with clearing the area is to create usable and accessible outdoor space.”
Ruminant creatures, goats have four stomach chambers, can maneuver through thick terrain with ease, and have been used for centuries to control vegetation.
The initiative will help NC restore a sense of baa-lance and improve soil health. The use of goats will reduce the use of motorized equipment, fuel emissions, and pesticide use to control vegetation in the areas of campus that are difficult to reach. These include heavily wooded and sloped areas.
“FMS is actively changing the grounds program at the Welland Campus and taking a closer look at the use and needs of outdoor spaces,” said Jeff Collee, Associate Director, FMS. “Initiatives like this help to operationalize the Sustainability Plan as it’s a chance to engage our community and reduce carbon emission to improve underutilized spaces like this one.”
The goats will be minded by a shepherd and have access to water while they work under the natural shade of the tree canopy. The herd will be contained to the project area with fencing.
For their safety and yours, we ask students, employees and visitors not to interrupt their munching. Please do not approach the goats or touch the fencing.
