Last fall, “Northaven Tails” welcomed 400 goats and sheep to Preston Hollow’s collective backyard.
Organized and supported by the Friends of Northaven Trail and tended by the eco-friendly land clearing specialists at Open Space, the herd munched its way through over two dozen of the trail’s “no-mow zones.” Many adoring fans gathered along the way.
For 10 days in October, these local star grazers returned for an encore performance.
“The support from the community this year has been really strong,” said Friends board member, Will Dawson. “Last year we did 29 areas. This year we bumped that up to 57 with sponsorships from local businesses, neighborhood groups, and different families that came together to sponsor grazing areas.”
In addition to nearly doubling the zones to be tended in year two, grassroots community support cleared the way (two puns intended) for several more “Tails” enhancements.
For starters, a new website was launched to provide logistical information, including a daily “flock finder,” full grazing schedule, interactive map, and parking locations. In addition, this year’s grazers had their own cowboy hat-topped police escorts when crossing major thoroughfares. Star treatment, indeed.
Perhaps best of all, though, Dawson highlights the continuing involvement of local schools.
“Last year, Grace Academy of Dallas basically shut down the school and everybody came over to the trail,” he said prior to the goats’ arrival. “This year, we already have two schools that have sponsored grazing areas and are planning on doing field trips, with more trips expected. It brings me a lot of joy, because that was really the impetus behind this: for school-age kids to learn what a grazing animal does.”
And, what is that, exactly? In short, the trail’s designated pollinator areas are intentionally left unmowed so that native grasses and flowers can thrive. Rather than clear-cutting, grazers are introduced to munch through the tangled upper thatch layer while their hooves aerate the soil below. The process makes way for new plants to germinate, which will provide nourishment and protection for birds, butterflies, and bees in the season to come.
It’s great fun to watch these adorable animals enjoying their greens. If you missed your favorite vegetation control technicians this year, monitor tails.northaventrail.org for updates on when the herd will return.
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