Toronto, Mississauga using goats to manage invasive species [Video]

Some GTA municipalities, including Toronto and Mississauga, are turning to goats to help manage invasive species around wetlands.

In a news release issued Friday, the City of Mississauga said it became the first municipality in the GTA to implement prescribed grazing using goats as part of a trial during the Invasive Species Awareness Fair at the end of May.

“The City is using prescribed goat grazing, a new and unique approach to managing invasive plant species, to help restore habitats surrounding one of Mississauga’s wetlands,” read a news release issued by the municipality on Friday.

“Prescribed grazing is a method that uses livestock to manage various concerns in habitats that are suited to grazing.”

About 50 goats are being used once again to graze on invasive plant species, including non-native thistles and Common Reed.

“Less than one per cent of Mississauga is made up of wetland habitat, so it’s a …