Texas hires 300 goats to clean up local community

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Dallas is tackling overgrown plants around White Rock Lake in a unique way – by using goats! The city has brought in about 300 goats to naturally clear away invasive vegetation in the popular outdoor area.

A group of goats arrived on February 5th to help manage vegetation around White Rock Lake. As part of a project by the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, they’re grazing near the Bath House Cultural Center, and are expected to clear around 11.5 acres of land on the lake’s east side over the next 10-11 days.

City leaders are focusing on removing privet, a fast-growing shrub that harms local plants. They scheduled the removal for winter because most of the plants still visible at this time are invasive, making it easier to target and remove them using grazing animals.

Brett Johnson, the city’s environmental quality superintendent, explains that goats are great at eating tough, unwanted plants like shrubs, small trees, and low-hanging branches – areas where standard equipment struggles to reach.

Goats earn $15,000 for cleaning up lake

According to The Dallas Morning News, the goats are eating their way through about one to one-and-a-half acres of land each day. To manage them, a temporary electric fence is moved daily, guiding them to fresh grazing areas. A shepherd is also present 24/7 to watch over the goats and keep the public safe.

Sheep also play a role in this project, mostly by grazing on grasses, while the goats concentrate on eating shrubs and other leafy plants.

The city is paying about $1,300 per acre for the project, totaling roughly $15,000.

According to officials, using goats to manage vegetation provides several environmental advantages. It lowers the chance of wildfires, makes trails clearer, and helps keep prairie ecosystems healthy. Plus, goats don’t require the use of heavy equipment near the lake, and their grazing naturally fertilizes the soil.

The goats have become a popular sight for locals and visitors alike. City officials are asking everyone to enjoy watching them and taking pictures, but to please keep their distance and remember the goats are on the job.

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2026-02-06 18:18