Parks and Recreation: Bad weeds, herbivorous heroes

By Keziah Lesko-Gosselin on March 2, 2020.

As weeds spread across landscapes, choking out native vegetation and negatively impacting the environment, it is our responsibility to intervene where possible, stopping the villainous vegetation in its tracks. Certain types of weed control pose higher risks to the environment and human health. Excess pesticide use has the potential to negatively impact non-target organisms and the surrounding environment. Impacts may include pollution, bioaccumulation, and pesticide resistance. Alternative weed control methods continue to gain momentum as environmental and health awareness increases, and as the benefits associated with these methods become more evident and enticing.

One emerging innovation involves strategic application of traditional land management techniques: target browsing is the use of herbivory, so the act of eating plants, to limit weed growth and proliferation. Goats are especially effective browsers as they can be trained to eat virtually anything, are efficient defoliators, and possess digestive systems capable of reducing weed seed viability. Herbivory is effective weed management because it improves nutrient cycling for native plant species, benefitting desired plant communities. Target browsing can be used alongside other weed controls to increase efficiency of all methods used; this may also decrease potential negative impacts associated with controls like pesticide use. Herbivory may reduce expenditures associated with labour and chemicals, as well as costs to human and environmental health. Goats are essentially low-emissions mowers using weeds as gas.

Target browsing is no simple task, and is best handled by individuals experienced in rangeland management. Complexities and considerations include using appropriate stocking rates, and training goats to browse target weed species over native vegetation. Introducing target browsing in urban areas is a concept that integrates centuries-old range management principles with contemporary urban design and planning. While emerging technologies provide new opportunities, utilizing traditional knowledge and practices is ultimately one of the most natural solutions to land use problems that have existed for centuries, like invasive vegetation management.

Many cities in Alberta have maintained successful weed management by target browsing, and the trend is growing as more communities and industries become aware of the tool’s benefits and broad applications. Hosting goats in urban areas is particularly fascinating, as there is potential not only for weed control, but also for interpretation and education; it is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the importance of agriculture and rangeland management. For more information on target browsing and goats in cities, please email the Parks and Recreation Department at parks@medicinehat.ca.

Keziah Lesko-Gosselin works with the City’s Parks and Recreation department, leading research initiatives and providing technical support for parks projects and operations.

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