Northaven TAILS, a pilot project involving targeted grazing along Northaven Trail’s no-mow zones, recently brought in a rotating herd of goats and sheep to do some landscaping.
Each spring and summer, the Trail bursts into bloom with native wildflowers. But before those flowers put on their show, the ground needs serious prep — clearing out thatch, loosening compacted soil, and giving seeds a shot at survival.
On Wednesday, the goats arrived and got straight to munching, beginning at the east end of the trail. Each day, they will work their way west, eating through miles of thatch and weeds.
In a world full of invasive species, overgrown meadows, and noisy leaf blowers, neighbors are welcoming the goats with open arms.
“We’re excited about ‘The Greatest of All Time’ joining our neighborhood,” joked trail hiker John Reese. “From what we’ve been told, the bearded environmentalists mind their own business, get straight to work, and are a lot less noisy than a mower.”
I found the herd using the GPS tracker on Friends of Northaven Trail’s website. Board member Will Dawson, who is heading up Northaven TAILS, was happy the location device hadn’t yet been gobbled up. “It’s a 50/50 chance it’ll stay put and not end up in a goat’s belly,” he said.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Preston Hollow
After assigning (in my head) individual names to the stand-outs, I couldn’t help but create speech bubbles for a few of them. While some were more industrious than others, I was able to swiftly pick out the “goat-getters,” the “supervisors,” the “showboaters,” and “the loungers.”
Slowly swaggering in my direction, a small but mighty horned fella used a little head butting to establish his position at the top of the pecking order, while perhaps also trying to discourage fellow grazers from getting in the way of the camera lens’ view of him.
I should warn that the fence keeping the adorable creatures from hitting the road after satisfying their munchies, does emit an electric shock (just as the sign says). Overzealous journalists, of course, must learn the hard way.
I needed the shot of the G.O.A.T himself as he stood poised for his portrait, nose in the air. What I got instead was a sharp little jolt, and a life lesson in respecting boundaries — both literal and metaphorical.
But honestly? Worth it. He was the main character, and I was just another paparazzo trying to catch him in his natural glory. The shock will fade. The photos? The stuff whispered about in barnyards across America.
Some of us just have to get a bit buzzed to feel alive — or at least to get the money shot. And, honestly, the wooly squad makes you feel a small sacrifice — say, your dignity or an electric shock — is totally worth a little face time with them.
