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Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Is Going To The Goats

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By NPT Staff - April 27th, 2020
Goats are being used at Whiskeytown NRA to graze down nonnative vegetation/NPS

Goats are being used at Whiskeytown NRA to graze down nonnative vegetation/NPS

A portion of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California is going to the goats, as National Park Service staff is turning to the livestock to graze back vegetation and fuel loads.

The goats are being turned loose Monday at the NRA's Tower House District, which is found about 2 miles west of Whiskeytown Lake. The district has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973 for its association with early settlement in northern California during the Gold Rush. Though this area currently is closed to the public due to hazards resulting from the Carr Fire of 2018, the goats will be visible from state highway 299 to both the north and the south.

Managing vegetation and fuel loads in this area is critical for maintaining defensive space around such historic structures as the Camden House. Beginning in the 1850s, the settlers of the Gold Rush era grazed this well-watered and productive area with goats, cattle, sheep and pigs. In the absence of grazing, many of the nonnative species that have been introduced over the years (such as Himalayan blackberry, yellow star thistle, and Scotch broom) will take over and can adversely impact historic orchards, structures, and the pastoral landscape.

To address these concerns, the National Park Service is utilizing goat grazing to support the following objectives:

• Preserve the historic structures and cultural landscape.
• Stabilize and preserve the historic vegetation.
• Manage invasive non-native weeds.
• Reduce hazardous fuels and create defensive space around structures.

During the project, temporary fencing will be utilized to contain the goats. Visitors are welcome to view the goats from a distance, but may not enter closed areas or approach the goats or the livestock guardian dogs. Livestock guardian dogs are used to protect the goats from predators. These animals are not pets. Please keep your distance for your safety and for the safety of the livestock. As always, pets must be leashed at Whiskeytown.

The goats for this project are provided and managed by Blue Tent Farms out of Red Bluff, California. Approximately 20 acres will be grazed during this project, which is expected to last up to three weeks.

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