Have You ‘Herd’ the News? Goats Return to the University of Richmond to Assist with Landscaping, Plant Control

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — The University of Richmond has welcomed its fourth herd of goats to campus to help clear overgrown vegetation. We’re not kidding!

Aside from providing an opportunity for endless puns, goat browsing is an environmentally friendly method of landscape management that results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and eliminates the need for herbicides that harm pollinators.

“Goats are basically living lawn mowers, and they are quiet, efficient, and don’t produce any plastic or industrial waste,” said Rob Andrejewski, director of sustainability. “They are also simply fun to have around. Our campus community loves to see them at work, and it provides an opportunity for us to further educate about a variety of environmental practices.”

Goats have been visiting campus since 2018 to assist with plant removal, including the first phase of clearing the Eco-Corridor. This year, goats from RVA Goats and Honey will be back in the Eco-Corridor, where they will help clear space for a forthcoming Orchard & Food Forest, an edible plant demonstration site consisting of fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, and perennial pollinators. The goats will then move to the western part of campus behind the Westhampton College Tennis Courts.

“They happily eat the porcelain berry, English ivy, and other non-natives that are so hard for us to control, and when they eat these plants, it allows the native flowers, shrubs, and grasses to get much-needed sunlight and airflow,” Andrejewski said.

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Photo and video assets are available to media by request. Media wishing to capture the goats at work should contact Lauren Anesta, media relations manager, at lauren.anesta@richmond.edu.