The OMS School Forest is ~ 3.5 acre area adjacent to Oregon Middle School.

If left to flourish, invasive species create a dense canopy that takes over the native plants, reduces wildlife habitat and hinders woodland areas. Removing invasive species from the area will give native plants an opportunity to thrive. Clearing invasive plants is the first step in forest restoration in an effort to create a learning space for our students.

Buckthorn, honeysuckle, and garlic mustard

Using goats instead of conventional management strategies reduces the need for chemicals, minimizes erosion risks, and makes it easier to access difficult terrain. Goats are being used because they will eat the specific invasive species that are being targeted.

Having goats in the forest serves to activate the biology in the soil, open up the seed bank, expose the sun to the ground layer and to trample leaf litter into the ground. Short-term, intensive goat grazing followed by re-introduction of native plants and seeds will help to create a more healthy and prosperous habitat in the long-term.

The goats will arrive the on May 14 and stay for about 20 days.

The goats are confined through the use of electric fencing, which will be marked with signs. The fencing serves to keep the goats in the desired location and to keep predators out. The goats and fencing will be moved to a different part of the forest area each day.

Students who cut through the forest to walk to OMS may continue to do so as long as they stay on the path. The rest of the forest will be closed while the goats are present. Please have a discussion with your student about the importance of remaining on the path and not attempting to touch the electric fence or the goats, which could result in injury. 

Touching the electric fence will result in a person receiving a shock of electricity, which will be uncomfortable and painful.

Community members should stay on the designated path; all people and pets should avoid the electric fence as there is a risk of electric shock. 

The goats will be contained in the electric fence area and do not pose a threat to pets. We recommend that pets are kept on a leash when near the area to prevent them from approaching the electric fence.

The goats are being provided by Living Land Management, from Monroe, WI, who hires them out for land management purposes. The goats live at the farm when not deployed for land management.

Approximately 20-30 goats will be used and it will take about 20 days.

Yes. The goats will be onsite for approximately 20 days.

Living Land Management, a specialist in natural land management, will be caring for the goats and will check on the goats 1-2 times per day.

Please direct any concerns about the goats to Jeremy at Living Land Management: 518-596-2929.  

For questions about the forest restoration project plan, contact Nate Mahr: nlm2@OregonSD.org or Chris Mitchell: cemitchell@OregonSD.org.

The school forest will be closed when the goats are present. Depending on where the goats are grazing, you may be able to see them from a distance. If you can see the goats, here are a few tips and safety precautions:

• Stay quiet and view from a distance

• Do not approach the goats

• Do not attempt to feed, pet or otherwise interact with the goats

• Do not touch electric fence or enter the fenced area

There will be a special Goat Meet & Greet open to all community members on Tuesday, May 23 from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

No. The school forest will be closed while the goats are present. For your safety, please do not attempt to feed the goats. 

No. For your safety, please do not attempt to pet the goats. The goats will be surrounded by an electric fence for the purpose of keeping them in the desired location and keeping predators out. Community members should stay on the designated path; all people and pets should avoid the electric fence as there is a risk of electric shock. 

In addition, goats will likely eat and encounter poison ivy, which results in oils from the plant being on the goats. Petting a goat that has encountered poison ivy can result in breakouts for humans! 

Read more: Goats & Poison Ivy

They eat a variety of plant material, including our targeted invasive species. They are also provided with fresh water and minerals. They eat an average of 8 lbs of vegetation per day, grazing for 12-16 hours every day!

Goats generally do not have an offensive odor outside of mating season (mating season usually occurs late summer through early winter).

Goats typically make a noise that sounds something like a “baa”.  This “baa” type sound from a goat is referred to as a “bleat”. Here are some examples of goat sounds.

The students and staff of the Oregon Middle School appreciate your interest in this project. Donations may be made to the OMS “Green Team” and will be used to support the purchase of seeds, plants, and tools for use by students and staff as they restore the OMS Forest.