Goats at Chimney Rock to help with conservation

The "goats of the gorge," previously seen working along U.S. 74-A last fall, will be working near the attraction at Chimney Rock State Park for the next few weeks. The project is made possible by the partnership of Chimney Rock State Park (CHRO), Chimney Rock Management, LLC, the Friends of Chimney Rock State Park and the Weed Action Coalition of Hickory Nut Gorge (WAC-HNG). Goats, fence and maintenance during the project are provided by KD Ecological Services (KDES), a local habitat management and restoration business out of Mill Spring, NC.

In order to accomplish this important conservation work, a partnership was formed. CHRO, Chimney Rock Management, LLC, and the Friends of Chimney Rock State Park were able to provide funds, advertising and approval of the project. WAC-HNG is a Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy-run program operating in HNG to support local landowners in managing non-native invasive plant species on their properties. WAC-HNG partners with CHRO frequently and presented and facilitated the project in an effort to further their mission of protecting "the natural communities and scenic beauty of the HNG by managing... non-native invasive plant species".

Fifteen goats will be hard at work on a 2-acre plot near the upper parking lot of the attractions. This area of the park is a dense monoculture of non-native invasive species that out-compete native plants and contribute to hazards like erosion and landslide. Monocultures of non-natives prevent soil stability normally provided by a diverse group of native plants. The HNG is susceptible to such events because of steep slopes and heavy rain events.

CHRO falls into a significant natural heritage area (SNHA) known as Chimney Rock Natural Area, a SNHA of "outstanding" significance, the highest level of ranking. SNHAs are evaluated on the basis of the occurrences of rare plant and animal species, rare or high quality natural communities and special animal habitats, determined by the NC Natural Heritage Program within NCDENR. Because of this classification, it is imperative to preserve these natural communities and the animals and plants present.

The goats will devour anything in their sight, which was an important factor in choosing an area for treatment. The determined plot is home to mostly kudzu, one of the goats' favorite meals, but also other invasive plants including Princess Tree, Oriental Bittersweet, Multiflora Rose and more. Goats are excellent candidates for this project because of their small body size, agility in navigating the uneven hillsides of the HNG, and preference for feeding on woody vegetation, including thorny plants. The goats will clear the 2 acres and will re-treat the area again in the fall. The site will then be monitored for regrowth and the project will be reassessed for next year.

To learn more about herbivory, and to donate to support future projects like this, please visitwww.wachng.org. To learn how you can donate to adopt a goat, go towww.wachng.org/Goats/adopts.