No kidding, Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s new landscape crew is a herd of goats

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden has enlisted a unique cleaning crew, affectionately dubbed the “Greatest Of All Time.”

From now until April 15, the botanical garden is hosting a small herd of goats to assist in clearing out an invasive plant species in the Native Texas Boardwalk area.

This eco-friendly approach, commonly referred to as “goat-scaping,” involves utilizing goat herd grazing as a management strategy. It’s a method already employed by nature centers, airports, ranches, and private residences across Texas and beyond.

By leveraging the natural grazing habits of goats, the botanical garden aims to reduce the manhours typically dedicated to managing invasive species. Additionally, since no motorized heavy equipment is used, emissions are minimized, and the gardens remain tranquil for visitors.

Visitors are welcome to observe the goats during regular garden hours, as they diligently munch away at the unwanted vegetation.

To ensure the goats are well-tended to, a dedicated goat herder will monitor them round-the-clock.

This goat-grazing initiative will also serve as a research program for scientists from the Botanic Research Institute of Texas (BRIT). The Horticulture and Research teams, along with an undergraduate student intern, will gather data during this trial period to evaluate the viability of goat grazing as a long-term management solution for the gardens.