Shaler Township Unleashes a Herd of Heroic Goats for Eco-Friendly Overgrowth Control

Shaler Township recently experienced a delightful and effective solution to its persistent overgrowth problem: a team of 24 eager goats from Allegheny GoatScape. These four-legged landscape architects descended upon a challenging 1.5-acre hillside, transforming dense thickets of invasive species into clear, manageable land with remarkable gusto.

For five days, the energetic herd munched their way through stubborn Japanese knotweed, thorny multiflora rose, and pervasive honeysuckle.

The target area, located behind the Shaler Garden Club and the township's public works building, presented a formidable challenge due to its steep incline and the aggressive nature of the invasive plants. Traditional methods, such as manual clearing or chemical treatments, are often costly, labor-intensive, and potentially harmful to the environment.

This is where the goats truly shine.

“They eat everything. They were so good, they did such a great job that we’re considering having them back,” enthused Rick Stubenbort, Shaler’s Public Works Director. The success has been so profound that the township is actively considering re-enlisting the ovine crew for a spring follow-up, not only to finish the current site but potentially to tackle other areas needing vegetation management.

The economic benefits are as impressive as the environmental ones.

The initial five-day goatscaping project cost Shaler Township $2,700. In stark contrast, human-led removal of such dense, invasive growth on a steep slope could easily escalate to between $10,000 and $20,000. “The goats are better than a bunch of guys going down with weed whackers and getting Poison Ivy,” Stubenbort humorously added, highlighting the practical advantages.

Beyond cost-effectiveness, the goats offer a chemical-free alternative, naturally fertilizing the soil as they graze.

This approach aligns perfectly with sustainable land management practices, promoting healthier ecosystems without the need for synthetic herbicides. Their agility allows them to navigate difficult terrains that would be dangerous or inaccessible for heavy machinery or human workers.

Jonathan Millard, co-owner of Allegheny GoatScape, emphasized the thoroughness of his herd's work.

“They’ll eat all the leaves and small stems. The root system is still there, so in the spring, it will try to re-sprout,” he explained. This natural cycle necessitates return visits to weaken the root systems over time, ultimately eradicating the invasives without damaging desirable native plants that may emerge later.

The presence of the goats also generated considerable community interest, turning a routine landscaping task into a local spectacle.

Residents frequently stopped by to observe the goats in action, learning about their role in sustainable land management. Shaler Township Manager Tim Rogers affirmed the positive impact, stating, “We saw this as a good opportunity to remove some of the invasive species from a very difficult spot. It’s been a great success.”

With such resounding success, Shaler Township is paving the way for a more natural, engaging, and cost-efficient approach to battling persistent overgrowth, proving that sometimes, the best solutions come with a bleat and four hooves.