The newest crew to help Alexandria, Virginia, clear invasive plants from its parks gets paid to relax on the job and eat.
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The herd of sheep and goats belongs to Mary Bowen, owner of Prosperity Acres Browsing Green Goats, who said that while the goats get top billing, she was advised to add sheep to the crew.
“Because the goats eat high, the sheep eat low,” and instead of competing on any given worksite, their skills complement each other, she said.
Currently, the ruminants are working their way through the unwanted plants at Alexandria’s James Marx All Veterans Park.
“Once we can see the ground, we’ll have a human crew come in and help remove that woody debris,” said Katrina Napora, Natural Resources manager for Alexandria.
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Bowen said the site was checked before her team of sheep and goats got to work because despite their reputation for having iron stomachs, there are plants that can harm them.
“When someone says, ‘Oh, but goats can eat a tin can.’ No, they can’t,” she said. “That’s a cartoon.”
The team of sheep and goats had just arrived at the park Tuesday when visitors dropped by to see them.
Melissa Deak liked the idea of an eco-friendly approach to invasive plant removal.
“They’re adorable and there are a lot of them. And they’re doing their job right away. They’re hungry,” Deak said.
They are protected as well. Visitors will see several layers of fencing around the work site, such as orange webbing with signs alerting visitors and their dogs to keep back from the interior fences, which are electrified, according to Bowen.
“It will shock your dog, it will shock you. And if you touch it, you’re on your own,” she said.
The livestock will be working at the park for the next week to 10 days, depending on how fast they eat — or work.
City of Alexandria’s newest landscapers draw an audience 2026
IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-09-08 21:57:55
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