The University of Calgary main campus is bustling with life this summer, from students, faculty and staff to children enjoying summer camps, along with local wildlife like rabbits, ducks, magpies and more.
Adding to this lively mix is a new, unusual and temporary resident: a herd of goats.
These hungry visitors are helping the university tackle invasive weeds naturally as part of an innovative pilot project.
Guided by a professional shepherd, Ryan Cartwright, the goats are grazing an area in the southeast corner of campus with thick ground cover and mid-height plants. Their grazing not only helps clear these species, it also promotes a healthier and more diverse ecosystem across the campus landscape.
Innovative and effective solution for weed control
Targeted grazing is a proven land-management technique that uses livestock to naturally control vegetation growth. Unlike herbicides, which can have a lasting environmental impact, goats provide a natural way to reduce unwanted plant growth while encouraging native vegetation to thrive.
Cartwright explains that goats' four-compartment stomachs fully digest what they eat, preventing invasive seeds from spreading. At the same time, their grazing fertilizes and aerates the soil, strengthens its health, and reduces wildfire risk by clearing dry brush and ladder fuels.
Goats on campus: Targeted grazing pilot launches at UCalgary
Video Credit: Kyle Sieben
Building on community success
This is not the first time targeted grazing has been used successfully in Calgary. Back in the summer of 1993, Canada Olympic Park (now WinSport) used goats to groom the ski hills, and a formal City of Calgary pilot project to utilize the four-legged plant munchers for "targeted grazing" began in 2016, starting in Confluence (West Nose Creek) Park and later expanding to McHugh Bluff and Nose Hill Park.
These projects have shown how goats can safely and effectively restore natural habitats and provide a greener, more sustainable approach to land care.
Safety first
Although the goats are a welcome and unusual addition to campus, community members are reminded to admire them from a distance.
For the safety of both the animals and the public, physical interaction with the goats is not allowed. The herd is being closely monitored by a professional shepherd, ensuring their safety and comfort while they do their work.
"This project gives us a valuable opportunity to evaluate whether targeted grazing can be expanded across other parts of our campus," says James Rendell, associate vice-president (Facilities Management). "It's a promising step toward continuing to enhance the sustainability of our grounds."
The goat-grazing pilot is one of several initiatives UCalgary is undertaking to advance environmental stewardship. By exploring natural and innovative methods for landscape management, the university continues to reduce its ecological impact and foster a greener, more sustainable campus community.
