Goats to the Rescue: BASF's Sustainable Solution for Invasive Species

BASF has partnered with the Green Goats of Rhinebeck to help maintain the ecosystem at its site in Rensselaer, New York by hiring goats to help remove invasive species from the landscape.

Did you know that goats can consume up to 40% of their body weight in vegetation in just one day? BASF learned about this solution at the Wildlife Habitat Council annual conference in 2023, where attendees discovered several alternative solutions for restoring and protecting biodiversity on corporate lands. One key takeaway was the potential for using (or, in this case, hiring) goats for land management and preventing the expansion of invasive species. Over the years, goats have proven to thrive among invasive species like poison ivy, mugwort, and field thistle, as they consume them without any digestive challenges.

As part of the company’s commitment to take sustainable action and support conservation areas in the communities where we work and live, BASF’s Remediation team recently partnered with Green Goats of Rhinebeck, an organization dedicated to offering goat grazing programs that help enhance conservation areas. Through this new partnership, the Remediation team, along with the expertise of Green Goats, designed and implemented a plan of action to remove invasive species at the site. The BASF team hired a local herd of 40 goats to graze and clear the Rensselaer site area for four weeks, effectively removing and preventing the growth of invasives. In addition to supporting the rehabilitation process of the ecosystem, the company also learned that the goats' waste adds nutrients to the land, contributing to the sustainable cycle and providing an alternative to traditional chemical treatments like spraying pesticides and herbicides.

The Rensselaer site has become a diverse landscape and ecosystem over the years and is also home to a well-loved nature educational center onsite. Since 2013, BASF has welcomed over 1,600 students at the center, providing them with valuable insights and learning opportunities regarding environmental topics. With the special Green Goats guests, BASF’s Mark Patterson, Vice President of Environmental, Health, & Safety in the U.S., and goat-herder responsible for running the environmentally friendly service, Ann Chihanek, recently visited the site to see the goats in action. As part of the visit, Chihanek shared her inspiring story as a businesswoman in the farming industry, highlighting how her role as a female farmer is contributing to a positive change in the perception of farmers in the 21st century.

On the same day, seventh-grade students and teachers from the Rensselaer City School District participated in a school trip to learn more about the goats and their role in enhancing the landscape, while enjoying outdoor activities at the site. The field trip was a great success, showcasing the positive impact of the Goats to the Rescue plan of action, which hopefully serve as an inspiration for finding other sustainable solutions in various conservation projects across the state.