Goat Grazing Programs

The City of Toronto has reintroduced a goat-grazing initiative at Don Valley Brick Works Park as part of its ecological management strategy to control invasive plant species and support local biodiversity. Now in its second year, the program uses a herd of goats to graze on non-native vegetation that poses a threat to the park’s native ecosystem.

According to Cheryl Post, a Natural Environment Specialist with the City of Toronto, the goats "feed on a variety of invasive plants, including common buckthorn, Manitoba maple, and several thistle species; by consuming these woody and herbaceous species, the goats help preserve open meadow areas and prevent the spread of shrubs and trees that would otherwise dominate the landscape."

This approach offers an environmentally responsible alternative to mechanical or chemical control methods. It also contributes to soil health and promotes the regeneration of native plant species. Launched in 2024, Toronto's initiative marks the first municipal goat-grazing program for ecosystem management in Ontario.

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