Goat grazing: A unique and natural approach to fire prevention

89 TO 55. A UNIQUE EFFORT IS NOW UNDERWAY TO HELP PREVENT FIRES IN ALBUQUERQUE’S BOSQUE. SO IT’S CALLED GOAT GRAZING. APPARENTLY COST EFFICIENT AND VERY EFFECTIVE STRATEGY, VERY EFFECTIVE IN A STORY YOU’LL ONLY SEE ON SEVEN, GENEVIEVE GLASS INTRODUCES US TO THE FOUR LEGGED LANDSCAPERS CLEARING WEEDS AND RESTORING NATURE WITH EVERY BITE. THE CLOCK STRIKES. NINE. COME ON, GOATS TIME FOR THESE 215 GOATS AND 15 SHEEP TO GET TO WORK IN THE OPEN SPACE OFF OF MONTANO. THIS IS THEIR JOB, YOU KNOW. THEY GET UP IN THE MORNING AND AND THEY LIVE TO EAT. THEY NEVER STOP. THEY REALLY DON’T. THEY JUST EAT AND THEY EAT. GOATS WERE BORN TO EAT. THEY’LL MUNCH ON JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. THEY CAN REACH ON THE GROUND AND ON THEIR HIND LEGS. WE’RE TRYING TO CLEAN UP AND RESTORE AFTER A FIRE. AND WE’RE WE’RE TRYING TO KEEP FROM HAVING A FIRE HAPPEN AGAIN. THE HERD IS EATING THEIR WAY THROUGH THREE ACRES OF WEEDS LEFT OVER FROM THE 2022 FIRE SEASON, AND THE CLEAN UP REAPS MANY BENEFITS. CLEARING OUT THE THE INVASIVE SPECIES CAN, YOU KNOW, MAKE SPACE FOR OUR NATIVE PLANTS TO COME BACK. ALL THOSE PLANTS PROVIDE GOOD FORAGE FOR WILDLIFE AS WELL AS HABITAT AND COVER FOR THREE DIFFERENT SPECIES, INCLUDING BIRDS AND SMALL MAMMALS AND REPTILES. THE GOATS ALSO LEAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL BEHIND THEM. DEPOSITS OF OF FERTILIZER, THEIR MANURE AND THEIR URINE ALL OF THOSE THINGS HELP TO ENHANCE THE SOIL USING NATURE TO RESTORE NATURE. WE’RE UTILIZING ANIMALS IN A NATURAL ECOSYSTEM, JUST LIKE IT’S BEEN DONE SINCE THE DAWN OF TIME. IT’S NOT NOISY, IT’S WE’RE NOT CONSUMING A TON OF FOSSIL FUELS. WE’RE NOT PUTTING HARMFUL CHEMICALS INTO THE GROUND. THAT’S JUST THE BEAUTY OF THIS IS IT’S VERY NATUR

A unique strategy has taken root to safeguard Albuquerque's Bosque from the threat of fires – goat grazing. Described as both cost-efficient and effective, these four-legged landscapers are actively contributing to the prevention of potential wildfires while simultaneously restoring the natural landscape with every bite.From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., a dedicated team of 215 goats and 15 sheep start their work in the open space. “This is their job, you know, they get up in the morning and they live to eat," says Max Wade, the owner of Galloping Goat. "They never stop, they really don't. They just eat and they eat.”The goats will eat almost any vegetation, from ground level to reaching high on their hind legs. This adaptability becomes a crucial asset in the mission to clean up and restore the Bosque after the 2022 fire season. “We're trying to clean up and restore after a fire and what we're trying to keep from having a fire happen again," says Wade.The herd works its way through three acres of weeds, remnants of the previous fire season. The cleanup process, beyond its immediate benefits, plays a vital role in restoring the natural balance of the ecosystem.“Clearing out the invasive species can make space for our native plants to come back," explains Dustin Chavez-Davis, the open space project coordinator for the City of Albuquerque. "All those plants provide good forage for wildlife, as well as habitat and cover for three different species, including birds and small mammals and reptiles.”Beyond weed clearance, the goats also leave behind something special – their deposits of fertilizer, manure, and urine. These natural byproducts play a crucial role in enhancing the soil, contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem. "We're utilizing animals in a natural ecosystem, just like it's been done since the dawn of time," explained Wade. "It's not noisy, we're not consuming a ton of fossil fuels. We're not putting harmful chemicals into the ground. That's the beauty of this. It's very natural and sustainable."

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., a dedicated team of 215 goats and 15 sheep start their work in the open space.

“This is their job, you know, they get up in the morning and they live to eat," says Max Wade, the owner of Galloping Goat. "They never stop, they really don't. They just eat and they eat.”

The goats will eat almost any vegetation, from ground level to reaching high on their hind legs. This adaptability becomes a crucial asset in the mission to clean up and restore the Bosque after the 2022 fire season.

“We're trying to clean up and restore after a fire and what we're trying to keep from having a fire happen again," says Wade.

The herd works its way through three acres of weeds, remnants of the previous fire season. The cleanup process, beyond its immediate benefits, plays a vital role in restoring the natural balance of the ecosystem.

“Clearing out the invasive species can make space for our native plants to come back," explains Dustin Chavez-Davis, the open space project coordinator for the City of Albuquerque. "All those plants provide good forage for wildlife, as well as habitat and cover for three different species, including birds and small mammals and reptiles.”

Beyond weed clearance, the goats also leave behind something special – their deposits of fertilizer, manure, and urine. These natural byproducts play a crucial role in enhancing the soil, contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

"We're utilizing animals in a natural ecosystem, just like it's been done since the dawn of time," explained Wade. "It's not noisy, we're not consuming a ton of fossil fuels. We're not putting harmful chemicals into the ground. That's the beauty of this. It's very natural and sustainable."

��vlog