Goats return to Lethbridge parks for eighth year of weed control

Lethbridge is once again deploying a herd of 206 goats, accompanied by a herding dog named Chance, to manage invasive leafy spurge in its river valley parks. This marks the eighth year of the program, which has yielded significant results in controlling the aggressive plant.

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Grazing for leafy spurge is not a one-and-done thing. It’s a multi-year program.

Parks Natural Resource Coordinator Jackie Cardinal highlighted the multi-year nature of the grazing program, noting a substantial reduction in leafy spurge. "Compared to then and now, it’s probably a 70 per cent reduction," she stated, adding that some heavily infested areas have been cleared to "absolutely zero."

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There were huge patches of yellow blurs, which were leafy spurge. Compared to then and now, it’s probably a 70 per cent reduction.

Goat herder Trent Cahoon described the visible transformation, noting the disappearance of "huge patches of yellow blurs" that characterized the leafy spurge. The goats graze three city parks: Indian Battle Park, Alexander Wilderness Park, and Pavan Park. In a single day, the herd can clear up to 50 hectares.

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They’ve done a fantastic job over the last eight years.

This grazing method is presented as an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional weed control. Cardinal praised the goats' performance, calling them "seasonal employees" who will remain in Lethbridge for seven weeks, completing two passes of each park. Visitors are encouraged to observe the goats, with Cahoon advising them to "just walk through, the goats will make way." Officials do request that visitors keep dogs on leashes and maintain a respectful distance to allow the goats to focus on their task.

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When people are coming along the path, I say just walk through, the goats will make way.