Photo Shoot

Who Let the Goats Out? A New Brush Clearing Effort at River Hook

A small herd of goats is being employed to clean up the River Hook grounds. Check it out in our latest Photo Shoot.

Published

10 hours ago

Goats from Crescent Nur Ranch are being employed by Upper Nyack Village to tackle invasive plant species at River Hook Preserve this fall. These shots were taken at the beginning of the effort, on Sunday, September 28. (All photos taken by Andrea Swenson) Keep scrolling for more photos and a full slideshow from the event.

This fall, the Village of Upper Nyack are welcoming some helpful and hungry new visitors to the River Hook Preserve.

For a several weeks, starting in late September and running up until late October, 28 goats will be helping the village clear invasive plant species in three selected areas of the preserve.

River Hook was locally known as “The Sheep Farm” for many years, as former owner Hester Haring Cason kept a herd of sheep on the property, according to a press release.

“Goats are an effective, low-impact method of brush clearing that rapidly removes undesirable plants without herbicides and will allow the Village to plant wildflower seeds in the cleared areas this Fall,” the press release said.

Note to onlookers (who are more than welcome): the goats are confined with a temporary electric fence. For your safety, please keep your children and pets away from the fence.

The goats are coming from Crescent Nur Ranch, which specializes in “goatscaping.” Learn more about this brush clearing method at www.hiregoats.com

Fortunately, our GOAT (Greatest of All Time) photographer Andrea Swenson was there to document all the action in our latest Photo Shoot! (Scroll down for more photos and a full slideshow.)