PORTLAND, Ore. — Visitors to Eastmoreland Golf Course may notice some unusual groundskeepers this month: a herd of goats and one llama have been brought in to help clear overgrown vegetation near the course’s 13th hole.
Natural Solution to Overgrowth
According to Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), the goats were hired to eat through invasive weeds and brush that had become difficult to manage with machinery. By relying on the animals, the department avoids heavy equipment use while maintaining the natural environment of the course.
To make it happen, PP&R partnered with golf management firm KemperSports and contacted GoGoatOregon, a local company specializing in using goats for vegetation control. Ten goats and their guardian llama, named Rain, began their work on Monday.
Goats at Work
The animals have been tasked with eating down invasive clematis, blackberry bushes, English ivy, and other vegetation considered a nuisance. Officials expect the herd to remain on site for two to three weeks, depending on how quickly the goats get through their meals.
For John Ball, PP&R’s Interim Director of Golf, the method has been both practical and entertaining…