The City of Calgary announces the return of the goat grazing program at Nose Hill Park, starting today. Over the course of 14 days, approximately 800 goats will graze a 58-hectare area in the Rubbing Stone Hill Natural Parkland Zone. This environmentally-friendly initiative continues our commitment to sustainable and natural weed and pest control.
Restoring natural balance
Nose Hill Park’s natural grasslands and shrub habitats have historically been maintained by large herbivores like bison and elk. With these animals no longer present in significant numbers, the park has experienced an overgrowth of vegetation and encroachment of shrubs and trees into the grassland ecosystem. The goat grazing program aims to restore the ecosystem balance by removing excess vegetation, reducing fire fuel load, and promoting biodiversity.
The primary goals of the goat grazing program are to:
- Remove excess vegetation biomass and recycle it into the soil as nutrients.
- Reduce dead vegetation to lower fire risks.
- Improve biodiversity by applying the principles of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.
- Prevent invasive species from encroaching on the natural parkland.
Goats offer a natural and chemical-free solution to managing invasive plant species. Their grazing allows more native plants to thrive, which in turn supports healthy wildlife habitats. Additionally, goat droppings fertilize the soil, and their hooves help till and aerate the ground, improving soil health.
To ensure the safety of both the goats and park visitors, portions of Nose Hill Park and its pathways will be temporarily fenced off to public access.
The City of Calgary asks visitors to:
- Keep a respectful distance from the goats.
- Avoid touching the electric fences used to contain the goats.
- Keep dogs on-leash to avoid conflicts with the herding dogs.
- Slow down when cycling near grazing areas.
- Obey all posted signage and closures.
Since its inception in 2016, the goat grazing program has received positive feedback from the public. Calgarians appreciate the environmentally friendly approach to vegetation control and enjoy observing the goats at work. The program has also increased awareness about invasive species and land management among citizens.
The goat grazing initiative supports the City of Calgary’s Biodiversity Strategic Plan, which aims to restore 20 per cent of Calgary’s open space by 2025. By promoting native plant growth and improving biodiversity, the program plays a crucial role in achieving these goals.
For more information on habitat restoration projects, visit calgary.ca/habitatrestoration.
To learn more about the goat grazing program, visit calgary.ca/goats.
