For many years, Maclellan Island, a beautiful 19-acre nature sanctuary located in the heart of Chattanooga on the Tennessee River, was overrun. Aggressive invasive plants like English ivy and Japanese honeysuckle created dense, impenetrable thickets, stifling the growth of native trees and shrubs.
Last year, Jim Stewart, the executive director of the Chattanooga Audubon Society, attempted a prescribed burn to combat these invaders. However, the stubborn flora merely smoldered, utterly unfazed by the flames.
It was then that the city’s fire chief, observing the failed attempt, offered some unconventional advice. “He told me, ‘Jim, you really should get some goats out there,'” Stewart recounted.
And that’s exactly what Jim did.
He contacted Christina Herndon, proprietor of Circle N Stables, known for her expertise with goats. A couple of months later, a team of six rented goats, funded by generous donations, arrived on the island, accompanied by their steadfast guardian, Beo, a majestic Great Pyrenees.
Eco-grazing, often called “goat-scaping,” is a globally recognized method for controlling undesirable vegetation in diverse environments, from cemeteries and military bases to parks and forests prone to wildfires. This natural approach avoids harmful pesticides and heavy machinery. Goats are remarkably voracious eaters, boasting digestive systems capable of breaking down even notoriously tough plants like poison ivy and poison oak. Their agility allows them to navigate steep hills and deep ravines with ease, outperforming any mechanical lawnmower.
What makes the Maclellan Island goats truly unique, however, is their daily commute: they are among the few eco-grazers in the world who travel to work by boat!
On the island, the goat herd and Beo reside autonomously within a 600-foot solar-powered electric fence, monitored by security cameras. They have a small hut for shelter and water troughs. They typically spend about five weeks thoroughly clearing one area before their enclosure is relocated to the next dense thicket.
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Once the goats have done their part, a team of dedicated volunteers and workers steps in, diligently hacking at invasive roots to prevent their return. These volunteers paddle out almost daily to check on the herd, providing supplemental corn to their endless invasive plant buffet and feeding their loyal guardian, Beo.
The herd recently expanded with the arrival of Gilligan, a young kid aptly named for his island birthplace. He even had a stint on the mainland for medical leave, recovering from a hip injury.
“He got into a head-butting skirmish, but he’s doing fine,” Ms. Herndon assured, adding with a smile, “They certainly play rough!”
Overall, the goat program has been a resounding success, according to Mr. Stewart. While English ivy isn’t their top choice, they’ve successfully cleared approximately five acres of invasive plants from the island, creating vital space for thousands of native plants scheduled for autumn planting.
“They’ve truly surpassed our expectations,” Stewart exclaimed. “These goats can achieve what humans and herbicides simply cannot. They are our invaluable advance troops.”
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its amusing mishaps.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene’s rising floodwaters necessitated an emergency evacuation by the Chattanooga Fire Department, whisking the goats off the island by boat. They spent the winter at Audubon Acres, the Audubon Society’s 130-acre mainland forest. One night, their fence was compromised, and Beo, the guardian dog, sustained a nasty ear wound.
“We suspect a coyote breached the enclosure, leading to Beo’s injury during his defense,” Mr. Stewart explained. “If he doesn’t recognize you, or if he spots a coyote, he’s absolutely going to do his job.”
Then there’s the unforgettable saga of Gilligan’s father, MacLovin (whose name, we assure you, is spelled slightly differently from the infamous fake ID in the movie “Superbad”).
To safeguard Beo’s food from the ever-opportunistic goats (whom Beo, ever the loyal guardian, graciously permitted to partake), a specially designed canine feeding area with a small, purportedly “goat-proof” opening was built. This design proved no match for MacLovin, who was famously captured on camera shimmying through on his belly, much like a seasoned Army recruit.
MacLovin also displayed a remarkable talent for orchestrating escapes, often leaping over the enclosure’s almost four-foot-high fence. His most recent breakout occurred in April while the herd was still on the mainland. The adventurous goats were eventually found half a mile away, enjoying a neighbor’s backyard gazebo. Emilee Null, the Chattanooga Audubon Society’s marketing director, revealed that the renegade ruminants were eventually lured back with animal crackers.
“Indeed, MacLovin single-handedly taught the other goats the art of escape,” Ms. Herndon confirmed. This final breakout unfortunately led to MacLovin’s relocation from the herd to another facility in Tennessee.
Despite MacLovin’s mischievous tendencies, the goats proved incredibly effective, clearing almost 10 acres of aggressive invasive privet from Audubon Acres, which allowed the campsite there to reopen for the first time in years.
Now, without their notorious escape artist, the goats returned to Maclellan Island in June and are a crucial component of the Chattanooga Audubon Society’s ongoing forest management strategy. Mr. Stewart anticipates their continued deployment as invasive plants inevitably try to reclaim territory. Their invaluable services and upkeep come at a cost of approximately $2,000 per month.
Future plans for the island include offering eco-tours and planting native nut and fruit-bearing bushes and trees, aiming to enhance food sources for indigenous mammals and birds. Mr. Stewart firmly believes none of these ambitious goals would be achievable without the goats’ foundational work.
Stewart admitted he’s still determined to fully address the stubborn English ivy. After consulting with experts, he’s now considering bringing in a new team: sheep!
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