These hills may look pretty and green now after the past heavy rainfalls, but they will soon be filled with a non-human workforce – hundreds of goats to clear brush before the fire season is upon us.
Jess Albrecq, Administrator of SCV’s Open Space Trails Parks Planning Division, explains how targeted wild brush grazing is part of the city’s effort to reduce fire risk ahead of peak season.
“The goat grazing project is a project we bring in; we try to do it once a year, basically utilize goats to provide an environmentally friendly way to do weed abatement around the city,” said Albrecq.
The city uses goats to reach hard-to-reach areas like hillsides that aren’t accessible with man crews or machinery.
“Its a lot more fun for people to watch the goats do than a bunch of guys with weed whackers out there and they’re making a bunch of noise,” said Albrecq.
The program works in coordination with the MRCA (Mountains Recreation Conservation Authorities) and the L.A. County Fire Department to reduce wildfire hazards and build buffer zones in areas like Rivendale.
City officials want residents to understand that the goats provide a discreet, transparent method for weed control that helps maintain trails and open spaces. They hope the public appreciates watching the process and finds it interesting to see how it is done.
