Goats at work: Savannah turns to more natural clearing method

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTGS) - The City of Savannah is turning to a more natural way of clearing vegetation: Goats.

It is planning to use them to clear vegetation in two areas of the city that are difficult for workers to clear or access with machinery.

The city will rent 60 goats and two livestock guardian dogs from Atlanta-area company Get Your Goat Rentals.

The goats will be used to remove vegetation along a ravine in the Laurel Grove North Cemetery near West Anderson Street and at the Clinch Street Pond behind Derenne Middle School.

The city believes the goats will be extremely beneficial, as they thrive on poison ivy, poison oak, Kudzu, blackberries, nasty vines and briers, which can be harmful to workers. The city says the type of vegetation the goats eat would require heavy machinery or toxic chemicals to manage. The goats also leave behind natural fertilizer.

The city also expects the use of goats to save money and they are also a more environmentally friendly alternative.

The city expects to receive the goats June 19. They will be confined with electric fencing while they work. Get Your Goat Rentals estimates that it would take about 20-25 goats one week to eat one acre of vegetation.

Savannah is not the first city in Georgia to turn to goats. Atlanta, Roswell and Sandy Springs already do.

Below is the full PowerPoint presentation that was presented to the City of Savannah: