Since 2006, LAHCFD has contracted goat services for fire fuel, or vegetation
reduction in challenging areas like the Byrne Preserve.
This eco-friendly method, called herbivory, reduces vegetation, creates fire breaks, and enhances wildlife habitats, all without toxic chemicals, noisy machinery, or environmental disruption.
Goats are especially effective in hard-to-reach areas, such as steep hillsides, wetlands, and stormwater zones. They consume 4 to 10 pounds of vegetation daily (they’ll even climb trees!) and excel at clearing plants like blackberry vines, thistles, nettles, and poison oak. Compared to alternatives like tractors or herbicides, goats provide thorough vegetation control with minimal impact.
LAHCFD continues to annually treat 9 acres of the Byrne Preserve using 500 goats to reduce grasses and brush. The goats usually visit Byrne Preserve in April or May of each year.
If you are visiting Byrne Preserve while the goats are on site, please keep any dogs on leash to prevent interaction or contact with the animals.
What is Herbivory?
Prescribed herbivory, or targeted grazing, is a tool for vegetation management and fuel reduction, using animals (i.e. goats) to consume vegetation and modify or reduce the available vegetation/fuel in an area with high wildfire risk. The goats are strategically placed in an area, like Byrne Preserve, to grazxe and consume vegetation, like shrubs and brush, reducing the fuel load and creating open space. In addition to fire prevention benefits, carefully managed grazing can provide environmental benefits such as increased soil organic matter, control of invasive species, and improved plant and wildlife habitat.
Read more about the goats:
- Los Altos Hills Our Town article Goats to the Rescue
- Los Altos Town Crier, May 25, 2022, “Goats go grazing, prevent Hills from blazing”
