Media and the public welcome to come and view the activity
Photo credit: Kyle Carr
The goats from Rent-a-Ruminant® Texas return to the Houston Arboretum May 3 – 10 to “mow” the overgrown vegetation in the 2.3 acre area encircled by the 610 Parking Loop. The popular animals made appearances in October and November of 2020 when they worked on the vegetation and invasive species around the Woodway Loop ponds and 7-acre savanna areas respectively, while in March 2021, they “landscaped” the 2.6-acre Meadow area.
The public is welcome to view the goats at work during the week they are here, although the Arboretum staff asks that guests do not touch, engage with, or feed the animals, for the safety of the animals and people. The area where the goats will congregate is easily accessible from the 610 Entrance to the Arboretum, at 120 West Loop North, just south of Woodway Drive. Approximately 150 goats will do their thing under the direction of Rent-a-Ruminant® owners Kyle and Carolyn Carr.
Rent-A-Ruminant Texas provides a workable alternative to traditional land clearing, chemicals or commercial mowing. The goats are effective at reducing brush overgrowth, green briars, poison ivy, ragweed and other unwanted or undesirable plant species. The Carrs operate out of a ranch in Brownwood, Tex. and have nearly 250 goats in their herd, about half of which travel with them throughout the state to provide natural mowing services. The goats even have names.
