- Niagara Parks brings back the Green Grazers initiative to assist with removal of phragmites, an invasive plant species at Gonder’s Flats
- Local farmer to bring and monitor goats daily to graze at the site for a week-long project that began on June 16
- While Gonder’s Flats remains open, visitors are advised not to approach goats due to their shy nature
Fort Erie, ON – Niagara Parks’ Environmental Stewardship team will see the return of a local herd of goats for the Green Grazers initiative, a week long project at Gonder’s Flats in Fort Erie, that uses goats to target the removal of phragmites, an invasive species.
The goats had a successful 2024 season, managing to consume a total of 0.75 acres of phragmites, allowing for the naturally growing swamp rose mallow to flourish.
Supported by the Niagara Parks Foundation, the Green Grazers initiative explores the use of goats as a chemical-free, sustainable and low-impact solution for invasive species management.
As of Monday, June 16, a local farmer will be bringing a herd of goats daily until June 20 to graze at Gonder’s Flats, the site of a recent wetland restoration project. Goats naturally graze on various plants, including invasives, promoting soil health and biodiversity. The goats will be monitored and provided with water and shade on-site.
Gonder’s Flats is a natural area along the Niagara Parkway near Townline Road in Fort Erie, adjacent to the Niagara River. Niagara Parks has undertaken an extensive wetland and restoration project for the area that began in 2014, made possible through collaboration with partners including the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Land Care Niagara, the Niagara Community Foundation and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.Although Gonder’s Flats remains open to the public, visitors are advised not to approach the goats due to their shy and sensitive nature.
For more information about Niagara Parks’ environmental stewardship work visit niagaraparks.com/environment.
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