Goats return to clear out invasive plants
Published on August 21, 2024
A herd of goats returned to Lenexa this summer to help clear invasive species from the stream corridor at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. The City of Lenexa started working with Goats on the Go in summer 2021 to supplement our ongoing invasive plant removal efforts.
We invest abundant labor and equipment to remove invasive plants from our parks and streams each year. Invasive species are non-native plants that spread aggressively, overtaking the native plants and trees that ensure a healthy stream ecosystem.
What you can do
You can help prevent the spread of harmful species by removing them from your yard. Dig them up if you can. Otherwise, cut them down and treat with an herbicide. Keep an eye out for these common invasive species.
Exotic bush honeysuckle, including Lonicera maacki (Amur Honeysuckle) and Lonicera morrowii (Morrow’s Honeysuckle): A multi-stemmed shrub with arching branches that grows up to 30 feet tall (typically 6-15 feet). It produces fragrant, tubular flowers with very thin petals in late spring. Abundant small red berries appear in late summer. There are some native honeysuckles – check the stems. Most natives have hollow stems, while the invasive exotic species are solid.
Callery pear (Bradford pear), Pyrus calleryana: A tree that can grow up to 60 feet tall and 2 feet in diameter. It produces showy white five-petal flowers in early spring and has half-inch round fruits that are green or brown. Bradford pears also have a tendency to split or uproot in windy or snowy conditions.
Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense: A grass that grows up to 8 feet tall with 2-foot-long leaves and a loose branching cluster of small purple flowers. Produces tall spikelets in pairs or threes. Accordint to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ti’s one of the 10 worst weeds in the world.
Wild Grape, Vitis spp.: A woody climbing or trailing vine that produces large three-lobed leaves with serrated edges and small clusters of fruits. While there are some native species of wild grape, it’s very aggressive and can overtake mature trees and surrounding plants.
Why we work with goats
While invasive plants are hard work for humans to remove, goats think they’re delicious. Their nimble hooves and voracious appetites make quick work of clearing out a streamway. For this treatment to be most effective, it needs to be done repeatedly. Over time, the stress of being gobbled up by goats over and over again will kill off the invasive plants.
You can visit the goats and learn more about their important work at the Lenexa Spinach Festival on Sept. 7.