Image Credit: Enbridge

By Adam Berls

enbridge goats

Goats employed by Enbridge to help control invasive species

Aug 18, 2023 | 12:56 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A pilot project to control invasive plant species hasn’t employed any pieces of heavy equipment or chemicals. The alternative? Goats.

Enbridge is teaming up with goats, yes goats, to help control invasive plant species along it’s natural gas pipeline system in British Columbia, and earlier in August, goats were deployed to a parcel of land located along Pine Pass, north of McLeod Lake, about 240 kilometers north of Prince George. For the goats, it is like eating a buffet.

Enbridge says that clearing invasive plants is a critical component of their commitment to integrated vegetation management along the pipeline right-of-way. A reason for controlling invasive species near the pipeline is to make sure that Enbridge and its operators can have access for inspections and maintenance.

This is a pilot project, but it is going to be long-term, with the goats being brought back to the study location every year to repeat the treatment and properly observe the effectiveness of the grazing method. Traditional vegetation management methods include chemical applications of herbicides and mechanical cutting of shrubs and trees.

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Enbridge also hopes to see what the long-term benefits and effectiveness of the pilot project will be.

The number of goats that were on site numbered around 30, and they were there for one week, and will be back again next year, surely already looking forward to the variable smorgasbord of vegetation to munch on.

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Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com