Goats clear invasive plants at Frick Park to make room for native trees

Goats clear invasive plants in Pittsburgh park to make room for native trees

PITTSBURGH —

Goats are grazing at Frick Park’s Clayton Hill to remove invasive plants as part of a collaboration between the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Allegheny GoatScape.

The goats are eating dense patches of invasive species to prepare the area for native trees and shrubs.

“But for that to happen, either people or, in this case, goats—animals—need to help us pave the way when we’ve got areas that are almost entirely invasive plants. So they’re a great help to our projects,” said Brandon McCracken, ecological restoration manager for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

The goats will spend about three to four weeks grazing across two acres.

Later this fall, high school Urban EcoStewards will plant about 100 native trees and shrubs in the newly cleared area.