By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
In an innovative partnership in early January, the Steiner Ranch Residential Owners Association and Lake Travis Fire Rescue collaborated with goats to help reduce wildfire risks in an eco-friendly way.
“Protecting our community from wildfire risk is a top priority, and this project is a vital piece of a larger strategy,” SRROA President Debbie Tanner-Jacobs said, “Our community has already put in tremendous effort, and now the goats stepped in to tackle areas where the rugged terrain makes it challenging for people.”
From January 4-8, a herd of hardworking goats grazed on overgrown vegetation in the green belt area along the Chaparral Hiking Trail in Steiner. Goats are natural grazers that safely consume various plants, including grasses, shrubs, poison ivy, and invasive species which are fuel for wildfires.
This method is environmentally friendly, avoids heavy machinery, and provides natural fertilization to the landscape.
The goats grazed under 24-hour on-site monitoring by trained handlers from Rent-A-Ruminant Texas. Temporary electrified fencing kept the goats safe and focused on designated grazing areas. The total cost of the pilot was approximately $9,000 which was shared between the SRROA and LTFR.
“This partnership is a testament to the commitment of Steiner Ranch and Lake Travis Fire Rescue to prioritize community safety through innovative and sustainable approaches,” said LTFR Fire Chief Robert Abbott. “Utilizing goats for vegetation management and fuels mitigation is not only cost-effective but also an environmentally friendly strategy. By clearing excess vegetation in high-risk areas, we are taking proactive steps to significantly reduce the wildfire threat and protect both lives and property.”
The goats were loaded up January 8 to take them home and protect them from the rain and cold but not before they finished their task, shared Rachel Neutzler, LTFR public information officer.
This project is part of Steiner Ranch’s ongoing Firewise initiatives to create defensible space and reduce wildfire hazards.
Now that the goats have cleared the vegetation, SRROA will collaborate with Lake Travis Fire Rescue’s Fuels Mitigation team to complete the work and further enhance Steiner’s wildfire resilience, Tanner-Jacobs said.
According to LTFR, not only was the vegetation clearing a success but also the increase in community awareness.
“This pilot project is currently under evaluation to determine its effectiveness. The goal is to develop a long-term strategic plan that integrates goat grazing, the LTFR Fuels Mitigation Team, and active resident involvement to collectively reduce wildfire risks,” shared LTFR’s Neutzler.
The goats did their job and now volunteers and LTFR’s Fuels Mitigation Team will have a Brush Cutting/Chipping Event, Block Party & Wildflower Stomp on January 25 in the same area to finish the project. Volunteer at www.steinerfirewise.com/events
