In Minnesota, Friends of Cloquet Parks lets nature do the work with herd that restores native vegetation sustainably
A herd of goats dots the winding esker, grazing in dappled sunlight streaming through the leaves of poplar trees. Nearby, mountain bikers storm backwoods paths that weave through the glacial landform, and hikers negotiate the cross-country trails. The downhill ski jumps rest in wait for the snow that will arrive by December.
While the outdoor enthusiasts bask in the natural wonders of Pine Valley Recreational Area in Cloquet, in northeastern Minnesota, the 38 goats weren’t there to munch recreationally. They had a job to do.
For seven days in June, the herd feasted on the leaves of buckthorn, a fast-spreading invasive shrub with rough thorns that has taken over about five acres of Pine Valley. Two acres were identified for an initial browsing. By eating the buckthorn leaves, the goats are helping set the shrubs back, making it easier for humans to finish the job.
“Before the buckthorn, we had aspen, hazel, maples and the oaks. But once the buckthorn is established, you can’t get the oaks and the maples and the other native tree species to regenerate,” explains Tim Krohn, president of the Friends of Cloquet Parks.
Buckthorn, which ranges in size with trunks from one to four inches in diameter, has a dense canopy. It prevents sunlight from reaching adjacent trees and inhibits vegetation from growing underneath it, starving out native plants.
It will take a few more visits from the goats to finish the job, but ultimately, ungulates and humans will work together to “get rid of the buckthorn in certain prime locations in the park,” says Krohn.
A dedicated outdoorsman, Krohn has been enjoying the park since the 1980s.
“I ski there, I run there, I bike there,” he says, adding he grooms the mountain bike trails in winter.
He loves seeing people enjoying the park.
“It’s completely free for everybody to use. There’s no ski passes, no tickets to access trails,” he notes.
These hungry goats will return to Minnesota’s Pine Valley Recreation Area in September, with more of their beloved buckthorn on the menu.
Krohn cares deeply about the park and presented the idea of using goats to help clear the buckthorn. The Friends identified a company with goats trained for this purpose—vegetation management and invasive plant control. The herd’s first meal in Pine Valley was a success, and the goats will return in September for a second course.
To help cover the cost of the second goat clearing, Enbridge recently provided the Friends of Cloquet Parks with a community investment grant. We were motivated to support the non-profit organization because of its sustainable approach to habitat conservation and remediation, and motivated to support this initiative that will improve, grow and nurture our environment.
“Not a lot of towns have this kind of recreational facility,” Krohn continues. “We have a new chalet that can be rented out for parties and weddings, and we are planning to make improvements to lighting for the ski trail and the ski jumps and the parking lot.”
He adds: “People think that this park is a gem of a place for recreation. It’s a special place.”
