By Lisa Curtis Special to the News Graphic
MEQUON — The popular goats that first helped eradicate weeds in Mequon’s Rotary Park Pukaite Woods last year will make a return this season, with help from the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club and, hopefully, the public.
The Rotary Club is hosting a fundraiser May 23 at Missing Links Golf Course & Driving Range, 12950 N. Port Washington Road. A portion of all revenues collected at the golf course between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. that day will be donated to the Rotary Club’s sponsorship of the goats.
Last year, 38 goats grazed the woods eating buckthorn and other invasive brushy species for about a month in June and another two weeks in August. It’s estimated they weakened the plants considerably, reducing new growth this year, though there is still work to be done.
“It stresses the buckthorn, so to speak, and by doing this year after year, it doesn’t come back,” said David Schlageter, past president of the Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club, which are the guardians of Pukaite Woods. “Instead of poisoning it, they just eat it to death.”
The 18-acre woods is located behind the bandshell in Rotary Park. The goats work in pens built around a 1-acre perimeter at a time. With the help of Boy Scouts, Rotarians and people in the neighborhood, the pens are moved every day or so over the time that the animals are there.
Schlageter said this is most likely a three-year project for the area in concern.
“If this works, we may move to a different location in the woods,” he said.
Former Mequon mayor and alderman Connie Pukaite, the woods’ namesake, said that last year the goats weakened the buckthorn considerably and the buckthorn’s leaves are not sprouting as vigorously this spring.
The goats will arrive in Pukaite Woods June 8 and start grazing at full capacity the next day. They will return in August.
“We anticipate the goats may only be in the woods for two to three weeks in June, and again for seven to 10 days in August,” she said. “But, they’ll be here as long as it takes to strip the plants."
Using goats for invasive species management is considered sustainable and eco-friendly because it requires no herbicides, allows for community engagement and keeps the animals happy.
Schlageter said that last year, funds from the Rotary Club, the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust and several grants helped pay for the grazing goat crew.
It costs about $10,000 to bring the goats in for a season.
The club has some grants this year, but not enough to cover the expenditures yet. The goal is to raise $5,000, Schlageter said.
The Rotary Club fundraiser will include raffle items such as 90 minutes with the goats for a group of 10, golf balls and gift certificates to local restaurants and entertainment, including Daily Taco, Highland House, Pizza Man, Missing Links and Brown Deer Golf Course, with more to come.
Trophies will be awarded by age group for low scores.
