Just another reason Lake Travis is the GOAT! Starting this week, goats will be clearing vegetation around Lakeway. We spotted the “goatscaping” herd on Lakeway Boulevard this week. It’s the cutest sight to see!
According to City of Lakeway, the process will take several weeks. The goats will be kept in enclosed spaces (and supervised), but will not be accessible for the public to pet or feed. It’s not a petting zoo, folks! These goats are hard at work.
While this initiative definitely makes Lakeway seem uber cool, we aren’t the first Austin-area city to employ barnyard friends for its landscaping—Bee Cave did the same earlier this year.
The age-old practice of using goats to clear vegetation is not only cost-effective, but it’s also more eco-friendly, requiring no large lawn equipment. This means homeowners who live in the area don’t have to listen to equipment churning up shrubs all day long, just some occasional chewing and bleating. Baaa!
Benefits of Goatscaping
This approach, often referred to as “goatscaping” or “targeted grazing,” leverages the natural grazing behavior of goats to manage overgrown vegetation, including invasive plants, weeds and underbrush.
Goats are particularly well-suited for this task because they are browsers rather than grazers, meaning they prefer to eat leaves, twigs, and brush rather than grass. They have a varied diet and can consume a wide range of plant species, including many that are tough, thorny, or poisonous to other animals.
Environmentally Friendly
Unlike herbicides, which can have negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem, goats provide a natural and chemical-free method of clearing land. Their grazing reduces the need for fossil fuel-powered equipment, cutting down on carbon emissions.
Biodiversity Support
By selectively feeding on certain plants, goats can help control invasive species and promote the growth of native plants, enhancing local biodiversity.
Cost-Effective
Compared to mechanical clearing or herbicide use, employing goats can be a more cost-effective solution, particularly for large or difficult-to-manage areas.
Soil Health
Goat droppings naturally fertilize the soil, promoting healthier plant regrowth. Their hooves also help to aerate the soil as they move through an area.
The Official Word
According to City Of Lakeway PARD report (August 21, 2004) “The goat herd has been hard at work clearing the Lakeway Blvd. right-of-way just west of Lakeway Dr. Unwanted vegetation, including poison ivy and muscadine grapevines, are being consumed by these hungry workers. Once this area is cleared of the unwanted vegetation, the City Forester will send in tree crews to remove dead and invasive trees. When the area is finally cleared, mower access will be possible, allowing this area to be maintained in the future.”
Want to see our furry goat friends in action, clearing vegetation and being so cute about it? Hop over to my socials to see the reel.
About Amber Hart Homes
An Austin native who has been earning accolades as a top performer since her first year as a Realtor, Amber Hart is an expert when it comes to Austin real estate. With over 15 years of experience, she is one of the top agents in Austin, earning membership in Luxury League Austin, Elite 25 Austin, Million Dollar Guild and recognition like Austin Business Journal’s Top Five Agents in Austin. As a certified Luxury Specialist, Amber actively pursues professional development opportunities to stay current with her business, earning credentials like Certified Negotiation Expert, which less than 1% of Realtors have and a member of the Keller Williams Luxury Home Division since conception. Amber is widely known for her dedication to the Lake Travis community as the founder of A Kind Hart Foundation and The Hart of Lake Travis.