Goats and sheep are a very effective and sustainable method of land management and fire-fuel abatement.
Goats have proven to help reduce fire fuel load and manage weeds by: (1) sequestering more carbon, (2) significantly reducing undesired plants while increasing plant species richness, (3) spanning large acreage, reducing fire fuel ladders over large and steep, rocky, remote, or rugged landscapes inaccessible for equipment or hand crews, (4) improving soil by enriching microbial communities and (5) therefore increasing water storing capacity in soil (every 1% increase in organic matter results in as much as 25,000 gallons of available soil water per acre).
The efficacy of utilizing goats on Maui has been positively proven in a 2017 pilot program with the Department of Transportation. The program was halted and newly appointed authorities within the department promptly ordered gallons on gallons of pesticides in lieu of the successful goaty program. Pesticides not only introduce toxins into our soils and eventually nearshore waters, but simultaneously create conditions that are difficult for native plants, but conducive to invasive ones like Guinea and Fountain Grasses to flourish
Considering the positive (intended and unintended) outcomes associated with goat grazing (which is successfully employed in other fire-prone regions of the world), it seems it would be morally and occupationally remiss to not incorporate them as a part of the solution to land management.
Additionally, with cleared, tilled and regenerated soil/land resultant from goat grazing, other doors for opportunities surrounding planting and farming open. Blue and green sectors of the economy can thrive on Maui, giving people a chance to have meaningful jobs and enticing youth to pursue directed paths of study, live traditional lifestyles or — at a minimum — have hope to remain in their home with the promise of purposeful opportunity. Opportunities brought about with an intentional focus on land management can aggressively help shift away the dominance tourism has on the economy. We can be proactive and create programs for keiki in schools to learn about land care practices as well as subsidize sustainable agriculture to help lessen Maui’s reliance on supply chains/shipping, help to create jobs (farming, plant nurseries, livestock herding/management, etc) and set Maui on a self-sustaining path that recognizes the varied microclimates of the island. These are the kinds of investments that Maui needs — not more of the same.
Please consider re-introducing this program far and wide as it has potential to help solve issues associated with fire risk and weed removal, as well as spread light and hope into others areas that need change, time and attention.
"Earth, ocean, people, and plants, are all components of a whole, living system; there is no success for one at the expense of the others. A goat-based weeding program is exactly the type of symbiotic relationship that would honor this system and benefit all. One man’s weeds are another goat’s meal."
Consider goats, penned in with moveable electric fencing, for grassland management and fire breaks. Haleakala Ranch and Kaupo Ranch have used such to control Fire Weed. Very effective.
Aloha,
Goats and sheep are a very effective and sustainable method of land management and fire-fuel abatement.
Goats have proven to help reduce fire fuel load and manage weeds by: (1) sequestering more carbon, (2) significantly reducing undesired plants while increasing plant species richness, (3) spanning large acreage, reducing fire fuel ladders over large and steep, rocky, remote, or rugged landscapes inaccessible for equipment or hand crews, (4) improving soil by enriching microbial communities and (5) therefore increasing water storing capacity in soil (every 1% increase in organic matter results in as much as 25,000 gallons of available soil water per acre).
The efficacy of utilizing goats on Maui has been positively proven in a 2017 pilot program with the Department of Transportation. The program was halted and newly appointed authorities within the department promptly ordered gallons on gallons of pesticides in lieu of the successful goaty program. Pesticides not only introduce toxins into our soils and eventually nearshore waters, but simultaneously create conditions that are difficult for native plants, but conducive to invasive ones like Guinea and Fountain Grasses to flourish
Considering the positive (intended and unintended) outcomes associated with goat grazing (which is successfully employed in other fire-prone regions of the world), it seems it would be morally and occupationally remiss to not incorporate them as a part of the solution to land management.
Additionally, with cleared, tilled and regenerated soil/land resultant from goat grazing, other doors for opportunities surrounding planting and farming open. Blue and green sectors of the economy can thrive on Maui, giving people a chance to have meaningful jobs and enticing youth to pursue directed paths of study, live traditional lifestyles or — at a minimum — have hope to remain in their home with the promise of purposeful opportunity. Opportunities brought about with an intentional focus on land management can aggressively help shift away the dominance tourism has on the economy. We can be proactive and create programs for keiki in schools to learn about land care practices as well as subsidize sustainable agriculture to help lessen Maui’s reliance on supply chains/shipping, help to create jobs (farming, plant nurseries, livestock herding/management, etc) and set Maui on a self-sustaining path that recognizes the varied microclimates of the island. These are the kinds of investments that Maui needs — not more of the same.
Please consider re-introducing this program far and wide as it has potential to help solve issues associated with fire risk and weed removal, as well as spread light and hope into others areas that need change, time and attention.
"Earth, ocean, people, and plants, are all components of a whole, living system; there is no success for one at the expense of the others. A goat-based weeding program is exactly the type of symbiotic relationship that would honor this system and benefit all. One man’s weeds are another goat’s meal."
Mahalo and Aloha,
Jamie
Consider goats, penned in with moveable electric fencing, for grassland management and fire breaks. Haleakala Ranch and Kaupo Ranch have used such to control Fire Weed. Very effective.