In an innovative twist on urban conservation management, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center welcomes more than 120 goats in October to assist with “mowing” slopes with overgrown vegetation around the two Woodway ponds. Goats, which graze on many varieties of grasses and plants, are an effective “eco-friendly solution” to vegetation management that negates the need for commercial mowing and/or herbicides.
A first for the Arboretum, this pilot project with goats from Rent-A-Ruminant® Texas will focus on 1.5 acres of land around the North and South Woodway ponds. The goats will be onsite to do what comes naturally – grazing – working on one pond area at a time. The goats will be on hand through Oct. 10.
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 5 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Dr., Houston, 77024 North Woodway Pond near the Woodway Parking loop
Link to map here.
Note: The best entrance is 4501 Woodway Dr. However, some GPS platforms may direct you to the Loop 610 entrance. If so, continue on to Woodway Drive, turn right and then take the first right into the Arboretum. We will have a tent set up next to the parking loop in case there are questions about where to go, etc.
VISUALS: Goats, goats and more goats at work on the slopes doing natural “mowing.” A goat wrangler will also be on hand.
INTERVIEWS: Christine Mansfield, Marketing & Development Manager, Houston Arboretum Kyle Carr, Owner, Rent-A-Ruminant
MORE: Onsite media contacts for Oct. 5 will be Christine Mansfield, 713-253-4354 and Carol Brejot, Carol Brejot PR, 713-503-3885.
IMPORTANT: We know the goats are cute, however, we do ask that visitors refrain from trying to pet them. Just like service dogs, they’re on the job!