Benicia use goats for vegetation
Who let the goats out? At the direction of the Benicia Fire Department, the owners of Goats R Us will move herds of goats through the city for vegetation management, City Hall announced Monday.
“We are excited to welcome the goats back to the city of Benicia. They are a great asset to our community,” said Benicia Fire Chief Josh Chadwick in a statement released by the city. “The goats provide environmentally friendly, sustainable vegetation management and wildfire prevention. Goat grazing is a cost-effective and ecologically sensitive method for controlling weeds on Benicia’s technical, hilly terrain. Their grazing cleans up the physical appearance of the landscape and greatly reduces fire hazard around homes that are close to open space.”
It is expected that the goat herder will conduct all operations in a responsible, professional and environmentally conscious manner. The herder is accountable for containment of livestock on the premise at all times. Goats R Us has several breeds of goats selectively bred for grazing. The goats will be used as long as needed.
Benicia’s goal is to reduce combustible vegetation along property lines bordering open space, officials said.
Fire department staff review open space areas that are most suitable for the herds due to fire risk and challenging topography. However, the fire department does not have the ability to move the herds to specific locations.
Questions may be directed to Chadwick at jchadwick@ ci.benicia.ca.us or (707) 7464275.