Minneapolis enlists goats to fight off invasive plants

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will deploy 80 goats at a six-acre site near Cedar Lake East Beach on Tuesday to help stop the spread of invasive species in the area. 

The goats and their “kids” will be eating buckthorn and other unwanted vegetation as part of an ongoing effort to get rid of invasive species in Minneapolis parks.

A temporary double fence will allow the public to watch the goats from a safe distance.

The goats will be on site from May 30 to June 9 with contractors providing 24-hour supervision for the majority of the project.

Cedar Lake East Beach is one of two spots the goats will be evaluated, the northwest area of Theodore Wirth Park will get them in late July.