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Goat Droppings . . . the "Parting Gift"08-12-13 | News

Goat Droppings . . . the "Parting Gift"

Congressional Cemetery in D.C. is temporarily employing a herd of 100 or so goats for perimeter clean up of vines, poison ivy and other ground cover considered invasive. Note: The boxy markers are cenotaphs, honoring Congressmen who died in office during the early decades of our nation's history. The cenotaphs were discontinued in 1876. Mass. Sen. George Frisbie Hoar (1826??"1904) presaged their demise with the comment, "The thought of being buried beneath one of those atrocities brought new terror to death."

The Association for the Preservation of historic Congressional Cemetery has partnered with Maryland-based Eco-Goats for a herd of their grazers to clear the exterior perimeter fenced area of invasive species from Aug. 7-12.

The 35-acre cemetery is in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, overlooking the west bank of the Anacostia River. The cemetery, which still does burials (you don't have to be a legislator), is on the National Register of Historic Place, and is a National Historic Landmark.

The even-toed ungulates arrive to the job site from their home in Davidsonville, Md. via trailer. The company sets up portable electric fencing to contain the feasting, and posts notices to inform curious passers-by. "Goat droppings become great fertilizer, so this parting gift is yours to keep!," says Eco-Goats.

Goats, among the earliest domesticated animals, are effective grazers (you would be too if you had a four-chambered stomach), although cannot be used indiscriminately to clear vegetation. For instance, some plants are toxic to goats, like mountain laurel, rhododendron and yew. The company employs a licensed professional forester, so it knows vegetation.

While herbicides have their place, Eco-Goats says that "blanket use of herbicides" can present the danger of a "buildup of persistent toxins in the soil, contamination of surface and ground water, immunity and plant mutation (creating ???super weed'), and harmful effects on desirable vegetation, domesticated and wild animals and humans."