| Part of Series | February 2007 - Isla Earth Radio Series |
| Length | 01:30 |
| Licensor | Isla Earth Radio Series |
| Producer(s) | Catalina Island Conservancy |
| Formats | Daily Segment, Interstitial, Soft Feature |
| Topics | Education, Environment, Garden |
| Produced | February 5, 2007 |
| Added to PRX | January 12, 2007 |
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Controlling invasive weeds costs a bundle. Billions of dollars are spent each year on weed and fire hazard management.
Amusing, Informational, Intriguing
English
Controlling invasive weeds costs a bundle. Billions of dollars are spent each year on weed and fire hazard management. Today, some landowners, fire departments, and the Bureau of Land Management are using natural "weed-eaters." Goats! Oh, it's true.
These durable quadrupeds are one of the most cost-effective ways to clear vegetation from roadsides, pastureland, and even college campuses. They can munch through noxious weeds like hemlock, larkspur, and poison ivy, and plant pests like salt cedar, sagebrush, thistle, and even cactus.
They?re especially handy for clearing overgrown brush and non-native weeds that crowd out native plants and reduce biodiversity. They produce zero pollution, and their droppings recycle nutrients back into the soil. Keep in mind that herds must be carefully managed to avoid overgrazing and erosion. And they can wreak havoc in habitats like island ecosystems that have a high number of endemic, threatened, or endangered plant species.
Goats are being used for weed management and land conservation in at least ten states. And they?re reliable: they always have the munchies. Properly chaperoned, these eco-friendly weed-eaters can really get the job done.
