FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – A herd of 48 goats is set to arrive in Flint next week to tackle the invasive Buckthorn plant threatening local greenspaces, thanks to a grant from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network.
The Genesee County Land Bank says invasive Buckthorn has overtaken several of its properties in Flint.
Kelly Jewett, an urban conservation fellow with the Genesee County Land Bank, said traditional methods of removing Buckthorn can be costly and disruptive. Goats offer an efficient and eco-friendly solution.
“Buckthorn is notoriously difficult to eliminate,” Jewett said. “By clearing invasive Buckthorn this way, we’re not only protecting water quality and improving wildlife habitat, we’re restoring neighborhood greenspace that’s been underutilized for far too long.”
The goats will start their work on eight Land Bank parcels near Ramona Park, where they will remain throughout the summer. An initial mechanical clearing will also be conducted.
“This is the first time a project like this – using goats to manage invasive species – has been implemented in an urban setting like Flint,” said Michael Freeman, executive director of the Genesee County Land Bank.
The goats will graze in three planned phases, and the public can attend “Meet the Goats!” events to interact with the herd and learn about ecological restoration. The first event is scheduled for July 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Ramona Park.
Star of the West Milling Co. in Frankenmuth similarly used goats to clear overgrown land along the Cass River in 2021.
