Dallas has deployed an unexpected cleanup crew to one of its most popular outdoor areas, hiring around 300 goats to remove invasive vegetation along White Rock Lake.
The goats arrived on February 5 and are grazing near the Bath House Cultural Center as part of a new vegetation management project run by the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. The animals are expected to work for roughly 10 to 11 days, clearing about 11.5 acres on the east side of the lake.
City officials say the primary target is privet, an invasive shrub that spreads rapidly and crowds out native plants. Winter was chosen for the project because most green vegetation during the season is invasive, making it an ideal time for grazing.
According to Brett Johnson, the city’s superintendent of environmental quality and conservation manager, goats readily consume woody plants, shrubs, saplings, and low branches that are difficult to manage with traditional equipment.
Goats earn $15,000 for cleaning up lake
As first reported by The Dallas Morning News, the herd is grazing between one and one and a half acres per day. An electric mesh fence is moved daily to guide the goats into new sections, while a shepherd remains on site around the clock to supervise the animals and ensure public safety.
A small number of sheep are also part of the effort, primarily grazing grasses while the goats focus on shrubs and broadleaf plants.
The city is paying about $1,300 per acre for the project, totaling roughly $15,000.
Officials say the approach offers several environmental benefits, including reduced wildfire risk, improved visibility near trails, and healthier prairie conditions. Goat grazing also avoids heavy machinery near the lake and naturally returns nutrients to the soil.
The goats have already drawn attention from nearby residents and visitors, with city staff encouraging people to observe and take photos from a distance while reminding the public that the animals are working and should not be approached.
