{"id":2456,"date":"2013-06-25T08:18:56","date_gmt":"2013-06-25T12:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=2456"},"modified":"2013-06-25T08:18:56","modified_gmt":"2013-06-25T12:18:56","slug":"why-mow-when-you-can-use-goats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/why-mow-when-you-can-use-goats\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Mow When You Can Use Goats!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Meadows are wonderful. They are idyllic places that conjure images of rolling hills and children running barefoot. These beautiful open spaces are also home to many important species. From the grasses and wildflowers, to the insects and grassland birds, what\u2019s not to love about meadows?<\/p>\n

As with most things in nature, meadows are not permanent fixtures on the landscape. In fact, it takes a lot of work to maintain meadows as open space. The natural processes of succession are constantly working to turn meadows back into forests.\u00a0Early-successional tree seedlings can\u2019t resist trying to plant themselves in the abundant sunshine of meadows. Therefore, meadows must be actively managed to prevent trees from establishing and reverting the ecosystem back to forest.<\/p>\n

Maintaining Meadows<\/strong><\/p>\n

Controlled wildfires are a natural way of maintaining open space in a predominantly forested landscape. However, due to the density of human settlement in Massachusetts, controlled burns are not popular management options.<\/p>\n

If you have a lot of time, or a lot of volunteers, you can manually manage your meadow by pulling or cutting all of the woody growth as it pops up. Clearly this approach is best for small meadows, but it\u2019s relatively inexpensive and a nice way to get to know your land really well.<\/p>\n

Most land managers have turned to modern technology to help them keep their meadows open. Tractors pulling mowers are the most efficient means of keeping the woody growth at bay. Generally, you only need to mow once per year to knock back the seedlings that have begun to establish. Of course, it\u2019s best to wait until August before mowing to allow the grassland nesting bird\u2019s time to fledge. But mowing is a hot, loud, smelly job that requires a lot of expensive equipment and fuel.<\/p>\n

Alas! There is Another Alternative<\/strong><\/p>\n

With their friendly demeanor and voracious appetites, goats are the perfect herbivore to help keep a meadow open. They gladly munch on woody growth, as well as non-native invasive species and poison ivy. For the past four summers,\u00a0Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> in Belmont has been using goats to help manage its meadows with great success.<\/p>\n

Not only are the goats adorable and a huge attraction for visitors, but they work hard. While they do require management and care, it’s a lot easier and cheaper to keep healthy goats then it is to keep a tractor in good working order.<\/p>\n

Visit Habitat to meet the goats and see firsthand how well they are doing maintaining the meadows. It\u2019s striking to see the contrast between where the goats have and have not browsed. And it\u2019s great fun to watch them work\u2026munching, munching, munching away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Meadows are wonderful. They are idyllic places that conjure images of rolling hills and children running barefoot. These beautiful open spaces are also home to many important species. From the grasses and wildflowers, to the insects and grassland birds, what\u2019s not to love about meadows? As with most things in nature, meadows are not permanent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[24,126,59,128,127],"class_list":["post-2456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wildlife-sanctuaries","tag-belmont","tag-goats","tag-habitat","tag-land-management","tag-meadows"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-DC","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6669,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-berkshire-sanctuaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":2456,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Berkshires Sanctuaries","author":"Rosemary","date":"December 9, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Mass Audubon has three wildlife sanctuaries in the Berkshires: Pleasant Valley in Lenox, Canoe Meadows in Pittsfield, and Lime Kiln Farm in Sheffield. These beautiful places feature scenic views, forests, fields, wetlands, and abundant wildlife. Here are five portraits of this region from past participants in our Photo Contest.","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/Sandra-G-Leonard-Canoe-Meadows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/Sandra-G-Leonard-Canoe-Meadows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/Sandra-G-Leonard-Canoe-Meadows.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8505,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/icymi-wachusett-meadows-instagram-takeover\/","url_meta":{"origin":2456,"position":1},"title":"ICYMI: Wachusett Meadow’s Instagram Takeover","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 12, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Our Sanctuary Instagram Takeover is back! Last week, Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary shared a little bit about what you can see and do at the sanctuary. In case you missed it, check out the photos below. And stay tuned this week for a closer look at Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sanctuaries 100"","block_context":{"text":"Sanctuaries 100","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/sanctuaries-100\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11617,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/in-your-words-libby-herland\/","url_meta":{"origin":2456,"position":2},"title":"In Your Words: Libby Herland","author":"Ryan D.","date":"September 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"In Your Words is a regular feature of Mass Audubon\u2019s\u00a0Explore\u00a0member newsletter. Each issue, a Mass Audubon member, volunteer, staff member, or supporter shares his or her story\u2014why Mass Audubon and protecting the nature of Massachusetts matters to them. If you have a story to share about your connection to Mass\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "In Your Words"","block_context":{"text":"In Your Words","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/in-your-words\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Libby","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/09\/Herland-Canoe-Meadows-Photo-1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/09\/Herland-Canoe-Meadows-Photo-1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/09\/Herland-Canoe-Meadows-Photo-1-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15575,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-hit-the-trails\/","url_meta":{"origin":2456,"position":3},"title":"Take 5: Hit the Trails","author":"Ryan D.","date":"April 26, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Earth Month is wrapping up this week and it's been terrific seeing so many people get involved, explore Mass Audubon's sanctuaries, and learn about what you can do to combat climate change.\u00a0Thankfully, we don't have to stop celebrating nature and all its wonders after April ends! Our statewide network of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary \u00a9 Lorie Brownell","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/3436Lorie_Brownell33989-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/3436Lorie_Brownell33989-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/3436Lorie_Brownell33989-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/3436Lorie_Brownell33989-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4482,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/mass-audubon-by-the-numbers-2014\/","url_meta":{"origin":2456,"position":4},"title":"Mass Audubon By the Numbers: 2014","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"This holiday season we\u00a0have much to celebrate! This was a great year for wildlife and wild lands in Massachusetts because of people like you. Here, a look at the past year by the numbers. For more on the year's accomplishments, check out our Annual Report. #1 is Mass Audubon's ranking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Stuff We Love"","block_context":{"text":"Stuff We Love","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/stuff-we-love\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/12\/Stony-Brook_Camp_2014_Heather-Cooper-7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/12\/Stony-Brook_Camp_2014_Heather-Cooper-7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/12\/Stony-Brook_Camp_2014_Heather-Cooper-7.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2092,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/great-bird-migration-spots\/","url_meta":{"origin":2456,"position":5},"title":"Great Bird Migration Spots","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 20, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It\u2019s the event that bird watchers around the state have been waiting for: spring migration, the time of year when birds leave their winter grounds and head north. 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