As we expand our MRG Pollinator Corridor to support healthy habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, and other creatures, it is especially exciting to learn of the Lebanon Recreation & Parks Department’s plans for controlling poison ivy: “Goats NOT Herbicides.”
The pilot project will begin Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Riverside Community Park, Civic Memorial Park, Basin Field, and on the Mascoma River Greenway near the public art sculpture “Wheels”.
The goats and sheep will be fenced in around their browsing (eating) areas containing poison ivy, which will include shade and water for the animals. The animal’s caregivers will also be onsite.
For some “Goats 101” if you stop by to see them at one of these sites:
- Respect the herders and listen to what they say; they are here to keep the animals safe and need your cooperation.
- Please do not try to pet the animals; goats can eat and be exposed to poison ivy with no harm to them, but touching the goats exposed to poison ivy oils can affect humans.
- Keep dogs on a leash at all times.
- Please remember good trail etiquette and slowdown in the work zone.
- If you would like to stop and watch the animals, please stand off the trail to allow other users to pass safely.
Lebanon is not alone in experimenting with goats for poison ivy control. This is the second year that Montpelier, VT has used goats to control poison ivy along the city’s recreational path. They’ve been used in Londonderry NH too. (Goats will eat invasive Japanese knotweed as well. )
We look forward to seeing how this pilot project goes in hopes that we can utilize this method in the future.
Thanks to Lebanon Recreation & Parks Director, Paul Coats, for pursuing this non-toxic method of poison ivy control!
