Since 2020 the Town of Superior has been testing weed control and other land management techniques with the help of some friendly goats. During the summer of 2024, the Town used 300 goats to help care for Superior’s open space. Goats are like nature’s lawnmowers (no gas needed!) and are considered one of the most effective tools for addressing vegetation overgrowth, as they will eat nearly anything in their surroundings. Goat saliva acts as a natural herbicide and helps prevent the seeds they eat from growing the next season, reducing overall growth and decreasing the amount of vegetation fuel that could lead to wildfires.
In addition to their grazing abilities, as goats move around, they break up the soil, allowing for better water and air flow. Their nimbleness and agility enable them to access steep and difficult locations where chemical or human-powered weed removal is challenging, turning problematic weeds into valuable soil amendments (manure)! Once the goats have grazed the noxious weeds in an area, native seeds are applied and the goats sow the seeds into the soil with their hooves.
The Town of Superior uses goats to help manage various sections of the Town’s nearly 600 acres of parks and open space property, providing a valuable ecosystem service and allowing the public to interact with these great land managers. Goat-powered weed control aligns with the Regeneration and Natural Environment pillar of our Sustainability Action Plan. These goats are helping to restore native short-grass prairie, manage noxious weed species, and educating residents on the efficacy of grazing as a land management technique. They are most definitely the G.O.A.T.!