What a big surprise for anyone taking a walk in our beautiful Glen Canyon Park in June 2001. The Recreation and Park Department had hired a herd of 550 goats to gobble weeds, grass and brush along the Canyon’s eastern and northern perimeters to diminish the threat of fire to the homes above. The range was controlled by plastic mesh fencing moved from place to place to place, but the goats still dined on native plants which are being saved by Friends of Glen Canyon.
     Rebecca Porteous of Recreation and Park’s new Natural Areas staff expects no serious long­term harm. Marianne Bertuccelli, the supervisor for Glen Canyon Park, said it takes two days for the goats to eat a spot that would take two weeks for a human crew. She is happy with what they accomplished and hopes to use them in the future. Some members believe that if the goats return, the herd should be smaller and more manageable. The goats were not lacking supervision because Mr. and Mrs. Oyarzun know each of the goats and were there in a small trailer 24 hours a day. Their border collie named Macarena was always on duty, keeping her eye on the herd.
     The Glen Park and the Glen Canyon sometime this spring will have not 550 visitors but 25 or 50 visitors. I did not see the goats last year in June, but I think I will keep a look out to see if I could see them this year. The Natural Areas staff will help coordinate the goats’ next visit. She is looking forward to applying the lessons learned last year.
     Porteous reports that the damage was not serious. There was no problem with erosion, and vegetation is growing back nicely. Volunteer groups from Levi Strauss and others have been working in the Canyon, digging out the previously inaccessible roots of blackberry vines that were chewed down to the ground by the goats.
     Porteous hopes the goats will visit around June like they did last year. If they come earlier, keep an eye out for them in the Canyon. I know it will be some sight to see goats in San Francisco.