Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg with one of several stuffed animal goats she has been given at the City's May 24th, 2021 Public Health and Safety Committee. (Photo courtesy of the City of Wausau).
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A new way to deal with invasive species at City parks is likely coming this summer.
Monday afternoon Wausau’s Public Health and Safety Committee met for a special meeting to conduct regular business after holding a 5-hour long license hearing during it’s regular meeting date. One of the items up for discussion was a request from the City Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department to temporarily amend the City’s forbidden species ordinance.
The temporary amendment to the ordinance would allow for the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department to bring in goats to help graze on invasive species at City parks. Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Director Jamie Polley says the goats are an alternative to using pesticides to control invasive specie growth.
“This would be for Barker Stewart Island. As you’ve seen, we’ve done some vegetation management. It’s really completely covered with buckthorn and honeysuckle. So we have cut it down once because what was out there was just way too large. We could not have done the goats with that large of species out there.
“So now we’re waiting for a regrowth, that’s when it’s beneficial to bring in the goats to eat that down. Buckthorn and honeysuckle are something you’ll never get rid of completely, it’s so hearty out there and it will continue to grow. So if this does work, and it seems to be something that’s cost effective for the City, and the ability to not use chemicals. It may be something we do every year,”.
Polley explained that the goats would only be used at City Parks that are on islands like Barker Stewart and Oak Island to avoid using chemicals. When goats would be working in an area an electric fence and the water would be used to keep them in one area as goats don’t like the water.
Along with having the goats graze the island parks for invasive species, Polley says the Department would like to host an educational event somewhere like the 400 Block on the process for families.
“It’s probably a one afternoon, few hour, family event, either down by the island along [the] Riverlife area or at the 400 Block. And use it as maybe a fundraiser for the goats to bring them here. And also really for education. Why do we have goats on Barker Stewart Island? And we’ll be putting up some signage as well about the invasive species,”.
The request to use goats at the islands for invasive species removal is also supported by the Wausau Police Department. Deputy Chief Matt Barns says the idea is a great partnership between City Departments and helps residents feel safe on the island. The request also has support from Mayor Katie Rosenberg, who brought one of her several stuffed animal goats to the meeting.
“Madison started their goat program last year. They’ve been eating invasive species and I tweeted about it. And since then I’ve been overwhelmed with goats. I’m very enthusiastic about this trial. So I’m excited that we looked into it. I’m excited that it’s good for the environment to have goats eating instead of using pesticides by the river. I think that’s great,”.
The request to temporarily amend the City’s forbidden animal ordinance to allow the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department to bring in goats was approved unanimously by the Public Health and Safety Committee. It does require final approval from the City Council. If the measure receives approval it will expire on October 31st, 2021.
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