Basin Recreation using goats for weed management

Photo: Courtesy of Basin Recreation

PARK CITY, Utah — For the month of August, Basin Recreation is bringing goats to Willow Creek Open Space for weed management and fire mitigation. The goats, arriving this week, are coming from 4 Leaf Ranch in Kamas.

The 60-acre open space area is a prime example of wet meadows and high mountain grasslands that once covered most of the site. Goats are unique because they eat plants from the top down, so weed seeds are not spread. Even with such a large property, goats regularly eat grass and other plants to roughly 4-inches in length, reducing the risk of fire.

Dogs are welcome to the event but required to be kept on a leash and in designated areas. Dogs will not be permitted in treatment areas due to the stress it can cause to the goats ultimately affecting how they eat. Herding dogs will also be used on site for managing the goats, and will guard and show aggression to protect their herd.