Goats in Our Woods: Targeted Goat Grazing

Land Ministry is fighting invasive plant species with hungry goats. Unwanted shrubs and vines such as Non-native (Oriental) Bittersweet, Bush Honeysuckle, Japanese Barberry and Autumn Olive are threatening UUS woodlands, but we’re fighting back with Goats on the Go.

On July 8th, upon our application, the Coralville City Council passed a resolution authorizing UUS to use “targeted goat grazing” to reduce invasive plant species in our woods and trails to the east and south of our building.

On Monday, July 21, a trailer load of about 70 goats arrived from our contractor Falcon Farm, an affiliate of Goats on the Go. The goats are fenced in by a mobile, solar powered, electric pulse type fence and will graze for approximately two weeks through the end of July. The project is supported by the UUS Endowment and by a 50% cost-share from the City of Coralville.