Goats Ready to Chow Down on Invasive Species in Jericho

Goats are coming to a Underhill Preserve in Jericho to help fight the invasive species living on the 75-acres of undeveloped land.

Invasive species have taken over this private slot of land over the years, making it hard for local species to thrive. The fields, woods and trails of Underhill Preserve, located at the northwest corner of County Routes 106/107 and State Route 25, are occupied by invasive species such as autumn olive, mugwort, multiflora rose, Japanese honeysuckle, mile-a-minute, porcelain berry and garlic mustard, reducing habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Carrie Meek-Gallagher announced Friday that seven goats were brought to the land to chow down on these invasive species. More are expected to arrive to make it a herd of 10.

The goats brought to the preserve are a mixture of Nubian and domestic stock. They will remain at the preserve from August until mid-October, the DEC says.

“In the past we have seen that goats can be a very effective tool in controlling the spread of invasive species,” Gallagher said in a press release. “With their voracious appetites, they can chew and mow their way through thickets of invasive species far better than mechanized equipment which allows native plants the opportunity to re-vegetate their former areas.”

In 2014, The DEC brought a herd of 10 goats to the 812-acre Edgewood Oak Brush Plains State Preserve near the shared borders of Babylon, Islip and Huntington where they devoured nearly six acres of invasive species.
Another herd of goats are expected to do the same at Underhill Preserve.

The invasive species that will most likely be targeted by the goats are autumn olive and mugwort.

The herd will be housed in a six-acre solar powered electric fence so they can’t escape or be attacked by predators. The fence will not harm animals that come in contact with it. The DEC will construct a shelter for the herd and various groups will care for the animals during their two-month stay at the preserve.

Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society has previously worked with the DEC to help identify important animal and plant species within the preserve.

“We look forward to working with the DEC and the surrounding community in the upcoming years as we work to restore and maintain habitat for the protection of wildlife and the enjoyment of the public,” Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society president Stella Miller said. “With invasive plant species threatening so many of our preserves, it is vital that these preserves be managed in a way that will maintain ecological diversity and health.”

The DEC was awarded $40,000 for the management of the Underhill Preserve from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

“We are pleased to receive funding that will help facilitate efforts to restore, create and protect critical bird and butterfly habitat,” Miller said. “In the past five years alone, we have observed a steep decline in the birds and butterflies using the preserve.”

Underhill Preserve cannot be accessed to the public. However, planning for public access is currently underway and will begin in the coming years under Governor Cuomo’s initiative to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for all New Yorkers.

The preserve is owned jointly by the Town of Oyster Bay (33.5 acres), Nassau County (16.5 acres) and the DEC (25 acres).

Photo by Patch editor John V. Santore