Cedar Hill Is 'Goatscaping' a Nature Preserve, One Bite at a Time

Cedar Hill Is ‘Goatscaping’ a Nature Preserve, One Bite at a Time

In partnership with Lewisville–based Open Space, the city of Cedar Hill has brought in a herd of goats to chow down on overgrown vegetation in a local nature preserve—aiming to get rid of invasive plant species while restoring the natural balance of the habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

When you need to tackle overgrown fields and invasive grasses, who ya gonna call? The city of Cedar Hill dialed up the greatest of all time—the G.O.A.T.—bringing in a herd to help manage a local nature preserve, one bite and bleat at a time.

The innovative, sustainable solution is known as “goatscaping.” In partnership with Lewisville–based Open Space, a land and park development services company, Cedar Hill brought in “a hardworking crew of goats” to help restore balance to the local nature preserve. Via “controlled grazing,” the goats have quietly gone about their mission. That includes chowing down on invasive plant species like Johnson Grass and Quihou Privet, two nasties that can crowd out native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems.

“Goatscaping” in Cedar Hill. [Photo: Open Space Development]

The city says that by grazing on these aggressive plants, the goats will make room for native vegetation to return, restoring a natural balance that supports pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

“Goatscaping is a simple yet powerful tool for habitat management,” Shawn Ray, director of Cedar Hill Parks and Recreation, said in a statement. “It allows us to manage vegetation in a way that protects our environment and connects people with nature in a fun and meaningful way.”

Why goats beat lawn mowers & herbicides

“Goatscaping” in Cedar Hill. [Photo: Open Space Development]

Beyond the visual appeal of seeing a herd of goats tucking into a meadow, goatscaping delivers other benefits, the city says. It reduces the need for fuel-powered machinery, prevents soil erosion, and reduces the use of chemical herbicides. It also provides a cost-effective way to manage hard-to-reach terrain, which goats can navigate easily.

Letting nature do the work makes sense for Cedar Hill, which is known for being a “City in a Park.” Located 20 minutes south of Dallas, the city has more than 52 parks and trails and was named Community of the Year 2025 by APA Texas.

Now that’s something to chew on.