Red Deerians are invited to get up close with some of The City’s most unusual seasonal workers at Meet & Bleat on Friday, October 2 at Kerry Wood Nature Centre.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can meet The City’s goat herd, pet some of the goats and learn how targeted grazing helps manage invasive weeds in Red Deer’s parks and green spaces.
For more than a decade, The City has used goats as one of its tools for targeted weed management. Goats are selective browsers that prefer many broad-leaf and woody plants over grasses. This allows the herd to target invasive plants such as Canada thistle while working in locations where other weed-control methods may be less suitable. Targeted grazing can be particularly useful in ecologically sensitive areas, including locations near water.
“People see the goats working in our parks throughout the summer, but Meet & Bleat gives residents a chance to get closer to the herd and learn why we use them,” said Ken Lehman, Community Facilitator - Parks. “It’s a fun opportunity for families, but it’s also a chance to learn about one of the tools our Parks team uses to manage invasive weeds while caring for Red Deer’s natural spaces.”
Goat herders and members of The City’s Parks team will be at the event to talk about the herd, answer questions and explain the role of goats in Red Deer’s weed management program.
Meet & Bleat
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Kerry Wood Nature Centre
Cost: Free
Meet & Bleat will take place rain or shine. Visitors should dress for the weather. To help keep the goats and visitors safe and comfortable, attendees are asked to leave pets at home.
No registration is required.
For more information about goats and weed management in Red Deer, visit reddeer.ca/goats.