Public is welcome to come and view the activity
The goats from Rent-a-Ruminant® Texas return to the Houston Arboretum on Thursday, May 4 for an encore performance to “mow” the overgrown vegetation in the 2.5-acre area around the Wildflower Trail near the Arboretum’s administration building. The popular animals last made an appearance in May 2022 when they grazed on the vegetation and invasive species around the 610 Parking Loop.
The public is welcome to view the goats at work during the week to 10 days that 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 easiest to access via the Woodway Entrance to the Arboretum. Approximately 150 goats will be chewing away under the direction of Rent-a-Ruminant® owners Kyle and Carolyn Carr.
“We feel like the goats are almost family now,” says Debbie Markey, Executive Director. “They have been onsite several times in the last few years to assist with removing overgrown vegetation and invasive plant species. This eco-friendly alternative to commercial mowing and herbicides is working. This time the goats will focus on clearing out the dense understory thicket to create a more diverse and open woodland habitat.”
Markey notes that each time the goats have come to the Arboretum it has been a big draw for families with young children. “It’s a great opportunity to introduce children to these wonderful animals and to watch them in action,” she says. “They can learn about nature, how plants and animals are important to our eco-system and why this is a healthy way to manage land.”
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 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.
The Houston Arboretum is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk. Parking is $5.50, and it is free on Thursdays and free every day for Arboretum Members. Guests can enter at 4501 Woodway Dr or at 120 West Loop North off of Interstate 610.
To learn more about the Arboretum, please visit https://houstonarboretum.org/. You can also get more information by calling the Houston Arboretum at 713-681-8433.
Photo credits: Kyle Carr and Anthony Rathbun.