10/05/2012Dunwoody Not Sheepish About Clearing Unwanted Brush in City Park
Dunwoody Not Sheepish About Clearing
Unwanted Brush in City Park
Ewe Wouldn’t Think Ground Clearing Could Be So Cute
Dunwoody, GA – October 5, 2012 – The City of Dunwoody welcomed a small herd of sheep and goats to Brook Run Park, on September 27, to aid in the clearing of weeds, kudzu, privet, and other troublesome foliage beneath the park’s tree canopy. Over the next several months, as a means of sustainable land management, the guest flock will feast on problem vegetation within Brook Run, eventually clearing up unwanted brush on close to 60 acres.
The practice of using sheep and goats to clear out unwanted brush is called prescribed or targeted grazing and it has recently gained attention and traction in professional land management circles.
The sheep and goats visiting Brook Run Park are provided by Ewe-niversally Green, a business specializing in commercial and residential targeted grazing and natural land clearing. Owned and operated by Brian Cash, a Dunwoody native, Ewe-niversally Green will be responsible for monitoring and moving of the heard around the park. The flock is corralled by solar powered electric fences and moved using specially trained herding dogs.
“Our sheep and goats eat kudzu, poison ivy, English ivy, privet, grass, and pretty much anything else that is green. There are a few things that they can't eat like rhododendrons and azaleas,” said Brian Cash. “The sheep are vaccinated regularly to promote their health and public safety. We take great care with each of our four-legged employees.”
The City choose targeted grazing as the preferred method of ground clearing for Brook Run because it eliminates the use of herbicides, loud or heavy machinery, as well as other potential disturbances to the park and surrounding neighborhoods. Residents and park visitors are welcome to look at the sheep but the City asks for park visitors not to try and touch or pet the animals.
More information about Ewe-niversally Green can be found at www.eweniversallygreen.com. For additional information about the Brook Run Park land-clearing project please contact Brent Walker, Parks and Recreation Manager, at brent.walker@dunwoodyga.gov or 678-382-6700.
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