Goats munch acres of invasive plants in the Washington’s Skagit Valley

The Nature Conservancy is using a herd of 30 goats – mothers and kids – to gobble their way through 5 acres of blackberries, brambles and thorns to help restore the lower Skagit River landscape. The goats’ mouths are particularly hard and not bothered by prickly thorns. Their four-chambered stomachs digest seeds well enough to prevent future growth of the invasives. The herd is protected from coyotes by one guard llama named Fiber Festival. The goats are gaining in popularity in weed control efforts as they don’t require gasoline, are chemical-free and leave minimal product behind. Full story: The Nature Conservancy