You may have heard of prescribed burns at Toronto parks, but have you heard of prescribed grazing?
Well, you’re about to now, because for the second year in a row, the city is bringing a herd of nearly 50 specialized goats for an “intensive two-day grazing session” at Don Valley Brick Works Park next month.
On June 10 and 11, 2025, the hardworking goats will be used to mimic natural ecosystem processes in the park. Led by the City of Toronto and Goats in the City Inc., the initiative aims to help control invasive plant species and maintain urban meadow ecosystems.
Historically, large grazing animals like bison and deer helped shape prairies by controlling plant growth, fertilizing the soil, and promoting biodiversity. Today, goats serve a similar role by targeting invasive species such as Buckthorn, Garlic Mustard, Thistle, Wild Parsnip, and others.
Goats are especially effective in urban settings—they consume 3–4% of their body weight daily and can tackle taller vegetation, including woody plants up to 1.5 metres high. The Kiko goats used are specially bred for this purpose and are part of a broader North American grazing network focused on sustainable land management.
To ensure their safety, the goats will be enclosed within a double-fence system and monitored 24/7 by trained staff. All of the goats will have constant access to water, shelter, and veterinary care.
Goats used in this program are not raised for meat, milk, or other products and will live out their lives peacefully on the farm, working only in prescribed grazing projects.
The public can view the goats at work from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with educational talks at noon, 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. each day. Staff will also be on site to answer questions and guide visitors through the project.
You can find more information on the project on the City of Toronto website here!