A goat-worthy initiative is herding its way to a beloved historic park in the Alamo City.
The Brackenridge Park Conservancy (BPC) + the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department are bringing in 150 goats to assist with naturally “mowing” overgrown vegetation at Brackenridge Park, cleaning almost seven acres of the park’s land.
Before we get into what we know about this collaborative initiative, let’s talk about BPC.
🐐 About Brackenridge Park Conservancy
If you grew up in SATX, you probably have some kind of memory of Brackenridge Park. Established in 1899, this nationally recognized historic area is home to many beloved attractions. Think: Japanese Tea Gardens, Kiddie Park + SA Zoo.
BPC is an all-volunteer board whose mission is to preserve and enhance the natural, historic, educational + recreational resources within the park for future generations. Hint: read on for other conservancy efforts currently underway.
🐐 Why goats?
- Goats are natural “mowers” and graze on a variety of grasses + plants.
- This is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional land clearing that may utilize chemicals or commercial machinery.
- The help of goats can also remove invasive vegetation + brush in a natural area.
- Goats can easily clear land with rough terrain that people or machines may not be able to get to safely.
🐐 Where do the goats come from?
- BPC has partnered with Rent-A-Ruminant Texas, a US company that rents these herds of goats to clear land and unwanted debris.
- Rent-A-Ruminant services are provided in Washington, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Florida + Virginia.
- Check out these before and after pictures of what these baaad goats can do.
If you’re wondering if you can catch a glimpse of these goats “at work”, you’re in luck. Beginning tomorrow at 11 a.m., the public is welcome to watch the goats graze through the end of May.
🐐 Other BPC projects
- The redevelopment of the historic Sunken Garden Amphitheater
- Restoration of the 1878 Water Works Pump House
- The historic Upper Labor Dam and Acequia
- Miraflores
- Community Cats
- Trinity University Partnership
For more information on this sustainable initiative, visit the BPC’s website.
