The goats are currently on their first assignment nibbling away on tall brush at Navion Drive/Starflower Drive’s open space and the public is invited to visit them while they dine, according to Marisa Brown from the Citrus Heights communications office. Courtesy photos of City of Citrus Heights 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Those lovable four-legged landscapers are back and they’re ready to mow down some serious weeds the all-natural way.

A herd of more than 500 goats will graze in approximately seven open space areas during June, according to Marisa Brown from the Citrus Heights communications office.

The goats are currently on their first assignment nibbling away on tall brush at Navion Drive/Starflower Drive’s open space and the public is invited to visit them while they dine, Brown said.

More goats will report for duty and begin grazing in the Twin Oaks /Moss Oak, Sayonara and Matheney open spaces before moving on to clear behind Citrus Heights City Hall in Fountain Square.

Take a break from your busy schedule and stop by to meet these eco-friendly superheroes. Snap a few photos and relax for a moment, watching nature’s weed-whackers in action.

“Just remember to be attentive to the electric barrier fencing installed around each grazing location and respect the boundaries that are set up for your safety,” Brown said.

The City of Citrus Heights has contracted with Capra Environmental Services, a local sheep and goat grazing company based in Rancho Cordova. The goats will graze seven locations throughout the city of Citrus Heights, covering a total of 54.78 acres at a cost of just more than $36,000, Brown said.

A herd of more than 500 goats will graze in approximately seven open space areas during June, according to Marisa Brown from the Citrus Heights communications office. Courtesy photo of City of Citrus Heights

The grass-powered grazers can navigate steep or uneven terrain and areas that are often inaccessible to humans while offering an alternative to the use of heavy equipment, chemicals and herbicides.

Grazing reduces fuel loads that cause fires to escalate quickly. Managed annual grazing is an effective way to minimize poison oak and invasive seed-bearing weeds while promoting the health of native perennial plant species, according to the city.

In the past, the goats helped the city control weed growth on an 11-acre vacant parcel at the intersection of Auburn Boulevard, Sylvan Road and Old Auburn Road and to clear open fields around Citrus Heights City Hall.

The timing of the herd’s move to each new location largely depends on how fast they work, according to Brown.

The public can follow the city’s social media for the herd’s next location at: https://www.citrusheights.net/415/Stormwater-Program under the “GOAT” Tab and view a map of their assigned areas.

Brown said that helpful guidance for residents and families visiting the designated grazing areas is also published there as well.