Alexandria has welcomed some new goats, and these “greatest of all time” animals are taking on an important job: helping combat invasive species as part of a new pilot project. These invasive species include multiflora rose, kudzu vine, and garlic mustard.

About 60 goats were released in James Marx All Veterans Park and will be there for about five to ten days, depending on how fast they mow through the plants.

The greenery surrounding Holmes Run. — The goats provide a natural alternative to pesticides for removing invasive species, helping protect the Holmes Run waterway from potentially harmful chemicals. | Photo by NOVAtoday

I had the opportunity to chat with Hashim Taylor, the Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities in Alexandria, to learn more about the pilot program.

Q: How long has the project been in the works?

A: “It was a year-long planning effort, and getting the right people at the table to provide their feedback. Lots of checks and balances when it comes to checking what's legal, what's not, what are the requirements, what we can do, and what we cannot do.”

Q: Why goats over some other removal option?

A: “I would say goats are a more eco-friendly option as opposed to herbicides used in sensitive areas.”

A sign posted near the grazing site explaining what the project is about. — Keep your eyes peeled for these signs around the goat grazing site. | Photo by NOVAtoday

Q: What should people know if they want to see the goats?

A: “We definitely do not recommend anyone getting close to the goats. We'll have staff members on site to ensure that does not happen,” Taylor explained. “The other side of All Veterans Park is Holmes Trail… and signs are posted there on what’s happening across the riverbank, and that will be a location that I would want families to look at from a safe distance across the water.”

Q: What are the next steps?

A: “After we end this pilot, we’ll do an after-action report and a brief so we understand what worked, what didn’t work,” Taylor said. “Ideally, we would like to say we can have more goats in other city parks, but we need to see the success and the parameters of this project before we could, you know, speak to going to another park.”

The 411

As mentioned, the goats will be in the area for the next week or so. The City of Alexandria is partnering with Browsing Green Goats, which provides services throughout Maryland and Virginia. While you can get close to them, it’s important not to feed or disturb them in any way. You can also spot them across the river along the Holmes Run Trail as they work to clear various invasive species. Depending on how the project goes, you may see the goats make appearances at other parks throughout Alexandria in the future.