About the goats

Goats are weed eating machines! For over a decade, The City of Red Deer has used goats to provide targeted weed control in several park locations in Red Deer.  With the guidance of experienced herders, these goats have had a positive impact on the ecosystem in Red Deer.  

They are selective grazers and prefer to eat broad leaf and woody plants over grasses. In the case of the Piper Creek site the goats enjoyed munching on Canada thistle as the main dish with a side of toadflax. Goats provide an ecologically sensitive and economically viable means of invasive plant control that benefits soil productivity and biodiversity. This method of weed control is especially useful in areas where chemical controls cannot be used due to their close proximity to water, such as at the Piper Creek location. Additionally, human-powered mowing can't be as choosy, and often time, beneficial species are indiscriminately cut down in the mowing process - another win for Team Goats.

For more information about this program please contact Parks & Public Works section at 403-342-8238 or parksandpublicworks@reddeer.ca.