Using goats to control invasive species (namely honeysuckle, autumn olive, and multiflora rose) is continuing to be a success. In the concentrated areas the goats have been eating, we have seen massive reductions in our invasive plants. Generally, invasive plants produce leaves before our native and naturalized species, leading to them cutting off sunlight and growth to the forest floor and understory as they steal nutrients from our larger trees as well. This year, we saw a flush of Spring Beauty (the small white flowers in the bottom photo) in these areas where sunlight was able to reach the forest floor. We’re excited to see what other native plants begin to take a foothold as we care for this corner of Creation in the best ways we know how.
