Hundreds of goats work to restore green space in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) –  Albuquerque is working to restore a part of the Bosque—a long strip of green space in the city—that caught fire back in 2022, the natural way, with the help of more than 200 hardworking and hungry workers.

“They’re amazing employees because they are always excited to go to work,” said Max Wade, owner of Galloping Goats Pumpkin Patch.

230 goats and 15 sheep are the star employees munching away at invasive weeds in the Bosque near Montaño after a fire burned 30 acres of the Bosque two years ago. “After the fire came through, it wiped out a lot of our native vegetation and this invasive weed like tumbleweed came in and took over the sight,” said Dustin Chavez Davis, open space project coordinator at Albuquerque Parks and Recreation.

The city teamed up with Galloping Goats who brought out their herd to help chop through nearly three and a half of those acres along the overgrown trail. The crew has been busy working through the area for the past two and a half weeks. Those who frequent the trail are happy to see their path cleared. “It’s actually absolutely astronomical how significant the difference is. We actually couldn’t walk through this path earlier this school year because it was so overgrown,” said Jessie Barrie, head of Bosque School.

The city says the goats are a cost-efficient method plus they help fertilize the soil. “This is very natural. It’s a very sustainable method of doing things. It’s a lot more rewarding than coming out here with a bulldozer or chainsaws or rakes and shovels,” said Wade.

The goats have wrapped up the first phase of the restoration project. Now the city will turn to removing what remains of the hazardous burnt trees in the area as well as preparing the area for planting vegetation. “I look forward to a day when its restored and the goats are helping us,” said frequent trail user Ann Clark.

Now that the goats’ work is done in the Bosque, they’re headed to their next assignment at the Sandia Pueblo.