Targeted Grazing as a Tool for Invasive Species Management
Zane Bakken stands in a field in Lakeville, Minnesota, signaling to a herd of 65 goats. As they gather, he snaps a branch of buckthorn—a common, stubborn shrub that plagues local parks—and offers it to the animals. The goats move in, stripping the leaves in minutes. This scene at Casperson Park serves as a practical demonstration of how municipalities now address invasive plant growth without relying on liquid herbicides.
Bakken works as the operations manager for ScapeGoats Farms, a company that rents out herds to graze on protected land. Public officials and private owners hire these animals to clear thickets that are otherwise difficult to reach or treat. The strategy avoids the environmental risks associated with chemical spraying, particularly near water sources. For the city of Lakeville, the goats provide a quiet, physical solution to a problem that often requires heavy equipment or toxic intervention.
The Biological Mechanics of Goat Grazing
Buckthorn is notorious for its density and its ability to grow up to 20 feet tall. Mechanical removal is often expensive and requires significant labor. Goats offer a different approach by focusing on the foliage. By repeatedly eating the leaves, the animals starve the plant of energy. Over several seasons, this constant defoliation weakens the root system and eventually kills the plant.
One advantage of this method involves the digestive process of the goats. As the animals consume the berries, the seeds pass through their systems and become almost entirely unviable. This prevents the goats from inadvertently spreading invasive seeds from one job site to another. Bakken notes that goats also provide a natural disturbance to the soil, which helps new native seeds settle and sprout after the buckthorn clears.
Long-Term Effectiveness and Park Management
Research supports the use of goats for managing thickets. Sara Nelson, a natural resources specialist at Dakota County Parks, participated in a multi-year study at the University of Minnesota starting in 2018. The researchers discovered that while goats might not eradicate buckthorn entirely, they successfully open up dense areas. Native plants often survive the process because they have deep, resilient root systems, and they benefit from the increased light once the buckthorn canopy disappears.
Ann Messerschmidt, an environmental resource specialist for the city of Lakeville, has used these herds for nearly a decade. She notes that while budget constraints occasionally force the city to revert to chemical treatments, the goat program remains a preferred option. Residents frequently gather to watch the animals behind temporary electric fences. This visibility transforms a maintenance project into a public education opportunity regarding local ecology.
Future Implications for Conservation Work
Implementing goat grazing involves more than just bringing animals to a park. Operators must manage fences, track the health of the herd, and coordinate with city staff to ensure the animals stay on target. It is a slow, methodical process that requires patience. Bakken views the work as a bridge between human conservation goals and the natural behaviors of the animals.
While the method is not a silver bullet, it represents a shift in how Minnesota parks approach land management. By prioritizing chemical-free options, agencies are finding ways to balance invasive species control with community desires for cleaner public spaces. The success of these programs in places like the Minnesota Capitol and local parks suggests that targeted grazing will remain a fixture in the regional toolkit for years to come. As the goats continue to work, they provide a visual reminder that large-scale environmental issues can be managed through persistent, small-scale action.