Friends of Greenview has brought goats to the nature area in past years as part of our efforts to restore the landscape using a practice known as goatscaping. This method is both ecologically beneficial and chemical-free for controlling weeds and restoring healthy landscapes. Goats love eating the new shoots and leaves of problem plants such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, and poison ivy. This natural grazing helps to weaken and eliminate these invasive species and clear overgrown areas.
In May 2022, a herd of goats worked a weedy section of the park, just east of the Project Grow Community Garden, that had been designated as a high priority for restoration. Confined by a temporary fence, five Boer goats spent a week at Greenview and quickly became a popular neighborhood attraction.
Visitors of all ages stopped by to see the goats at work during their stay at Greenview.
In May 2024, a new herd of six goats returned to the same area for another week of grazing. Once again, the goats drew plenty of interest from neighbors, and Pioneer High School students even visited the site to learn about this unique method of habitat restoration.
Check out this video showing goats at work at Greenview