Latest news with #JackieCardinal
Global News
20 hours ago
- General
- Global News
Lethbridge goats chew through problem weeds for 7th year
Seven years ago, the City of Lethbridge put pen to paper with the GOAT of lawnmowing — actual goats. The animals have spent every summer since then targeting leafy spurge, a noxious weed in Lethbridge River Valley. The city says it took several years to see significant results, but now the project is proving its success. 'Spurge has been decreased by almost 90 per cent in (Indian Battle Park), between here and Botterill (park). So, our night camp is near Botterill and there it's down 98 per cent, there's very little coming up in the area,' said Jackie Cardinal, the parks natural resource coordinator. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy She says leafy spurge is a serious problem that had become overgrown before the goats were enlisted. 'It just kind of takes over everything. It takes up space for the native plants, for the more beneficial vegetation in the river valley,' Cardinal said Story continues below advertisement 'So, if we can get rid of the weeds, we give the native species more real estate to set seed and take off.' To ensure the goats only eat what the city wants, the picky eaters were trained to eat the spurge. 'We hold the goats on that, get them used to the taste. It's kind of like kids with broccoli — if you give it to them enough, eventually they'll eat it,' said Trent Cahoon, a goatherd working on the project. He says it's nice to see the city taking this approach as opposed to one dominated by herbicides. 'Well, I'm loving it. I've got a background in permaculture, so I like all things green,' he said. 'So, if I'm a part of making all things green and helping out the city, it's way better than chemical gunk.' Other parks in the city that are benefitting from the goats are ranging between 25 and 50-per cent decreases in leafy spurge populations, depending on how long the animals have been grazing in each respective area.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Weed-eating goats return to Lethbridge for another summer of yum
The City of Lethbridge has rehired 205 weed-eating goats to graze various neighbourhoods in the summer of 2025 The goats of summer are back in Lethbridge for another weed-eating season. The city posted the news on its social media Thursday, 'The great grazin' goats (not their official title…) are eating their way through leafy spurge, wormwood and thistle,' they wrote. 'It's their seventh annual tour of duty in Lethbridge.' The goats will be herded between three different communities over the coming weeks, starting with two weeks at Indian Battle/Botterill Bottom Parks until June 23. Lethbridge goats, June 12, 2025 Over 200 goats will be grazing various Lethbridge parks this summer, their seventh season of weed eating. (Karsen Marczuk) Then, they move to Alexander Wilderness Park from June 23 through July 7, followed by Pavan Park from July 7 to 21. On Aug. 6, they'll repeat the cycle, spending a week in each location to clean up any regrowth that occurs. The goats have done such a good job over the past six years, their area of coverage may be expanded, a parks spokesperson said. 'After six years, spurge in their typical grazing areas is coming up very sparse,' says Jackie Cardinal, Parks Natural Resource Coordinator. 'So, we might be able to move their buffet into the Nature Reserve, north of the train bridge, for a few days, like we did last year.' The goats are looked after by a skilled herder and a team of dogs, who help guide them and keep them safe from predators. While the dogs are friendly, residents are asked to keep their dogs on a leash away from the herd to allow the goats to do their jobs. For more information on the grazing goats, go here.
