Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
JOE SHEARER, THE NONPAREIL
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
JOE SHEARER, THE DAILY NONPAREIL
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
JOE SHEARER, THE DAILY NONPAREIL
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
JOE SHEARER, THE DAILY NONPAREIL
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they’re working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
The city said the Parks and Recreation Department has goats clearing unwanted vegetation, with the employees punching in for the first time today.
“Bringing in a herd of goats is a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to clear the brush from the area,” Parks and Rec Director Vincent Martorello said in a release. “Goats eat approximately 4% of their body weight per day and take care of noxious weeds such as nettles and poison ivy.”
The goats also eliminate the need for spraying poisonous herbicides and mowing, thus reducing fossil fuels and CO2 emissions, the city said.
The herd of goats is working on a four-acre section along the access road at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, under the Interstate 480 bridge. Goats on the Go owners, Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch, monitor the goats to ensure the availability of drinking water and access to minerals, according to the city. The goats will need 15-20 days to complete the area.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
One of 55 goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch that helped clear four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Another herd of goats is currently helping themselves to more unwanted vegetation near Big Lake Park.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they're working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.
Goats owned by Matt and Jocelyn Vermeersch inhabit four acres of land near the Interstate 480 bridge at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. There are 55 goats at the park, and they’re working to clear brush and weeds in a cost-effective, eco-friendly manner for the city.