Austin Texas Community

The goats will stay at the trail day and night for the next three to four weeks, taking breaks to chew their cud and sleeping in their on-site trailers. Guests of the trail should not be affected, Anderson said, as the goats will remain in the vegetation and not on the dirt path.

Those visiting are asked to keep their pets on leashes and not touch the goats or the electric fencing while they work.

“It's a little like being around a working therapy dog,” Anderson said. “It's very tempting to want to pet them, but we ask that you do not do it.”

Anderson said she hopes once word spreads about the goats at the trail, TTC will be able to secure funding to continue the program throughout the trail. Additionally, she said when the goats have finished their work, TTC will use heavy mulch to prevent the germination of invasive plants in the future, and will replant the areas with native plants during the fall and winter months.