Taking a Bite Out of Invasive Vegetation

Allegheny GoatScape works with municipalities to restore native habitats by clearing overgrown lands with herds of friendly goats. We utilize goats as an innovative and effective approach to manage invasive vegetation, especially in under-resourced, ecologically sensitive, and hard-to-reach areas.

Learn About Us
How It Works

Support Us
Donate Here

A close-up of a white goat with a black collar, standing outdoors on dirt with blurred wooden structures in the background.

Our Mission


At Allegheny GoatScape, our goats are the heart of our mission. With every bite, they restore balance to our landscapes by clearing unwanted vegetation to help native plants and local ecosystems thrive. Together, our hardworking herds and human team are cultivating a greener, healthier Pittsburgh.‍ ‍

Two goats standing on a fallen tree trunk in a lush green forest, looking at the camera.
Close-up of a black dog with a donkey with a brown nose outdoors among green leaves and trees under a blue sky.
Close-up of a brown and black goat with floppy ears, standing among green plants outdoors, with a cloudy sky and trees in the background.
Multiple goats in a green wooded area, some reaching for leaves on bushes, with trees and foliage around.
Group of goats in a green forest with trees and bushes, some goats with colorful collars and tags, one goat in the front looking directly at the camera.
A goat with brown, black, and white fur leaning near a tree trunk, surrounded by lush green foliage, with houses and utility wires visible in the background.

Our History

Allegheny GoatScape was established as a 501c3 non-profit on Valentine’s Day, 2017. Our first herd, Team Hobo, was initially the herd of our forerunner, Steel City Grazers. While the folks there decided to move on, they wanted to see the goat’s good work continue, and Allegheny GoatScape was born.

Since that time, Allegheny GoatScape has been able to grow its herds and capacity to support the environmental restoration and improvements for municipalities, partner non-profits, and land managers throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Several goats in Allegheny County walking along a dirt path beside a fence, with trees and greenery on one side and a grassy area with a walkway on the other, in a sunny outdoor setting.

Why Clear Overgrown Land With Goats? Because Goats Are...

Effective: The herd can manage Pittsburgh's steep slopes and remove thorny, itchy, and invasive plants. Goats are naturally suited to work on challenging terrain.

Eco-friendly: Goats manage vegetation without herbicides, and they reduce the need for fuels and expensive machinery. They leave no waste and naturally fertilize the soil. The herd also reduces the seed bank by eating invasive plants before they go to seed and leaving nonviable seeds after the goats have processed them.

Engaging: There's nothing like cute, fuzzy animals to get your neighbors engaged in a project! If you're looking for community interest and involvement, goats are the way to go.

Meet Our Herd

We’re fortunate to collaborate with these partners, many of whom are also a part of the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance.

We Can’t Do This Work Without You

Curious how you can contribute to the work of Allegheny GoatScape? Check out all of the different ways you can get involved:

To all of our supporters, thank you!

Our Herds Are On the Move…

Where Are the Goats?

Allegheny GoatScape herds are currently in their 10th working season. You can spot them in parks and green spaces around Pittsburgh and Allegheny County through the fall. Check out the map to see where they are munching right now!

*Visitors are always welcome, but please respect the fence line, do not pet or feed the goats (they often eat poison ivy!), and remember to keep your dogs leashed at all times when exploring.

It’s especially important not to feed the animals, as there are plants in our area that are highly toxic.

If you’d like to get a closer look, join us for one of our many free events!

Articles, Information, and Newsletter

Field Notes

Articles
Signs of Spring in Western Pennsylvania
Category
Signs of Spring in Western Pennsylvania
Category

Dictum at tempor commodo ullamcorper a lacus vestibulum. Eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris sit. In ornare quam viverra orci sagittis eu volutpat odio. Vestibulum lorem sed risus ultricies.

Category
Focus on Herd Health: Hoof Trimming
Category
Focus on Herd Health: Hoof Trimming
Category

Did you know that goats need their hooves trimmed regularly? Just like human fingernails, goat hooves are made out of a protein called keratin.

Category
Using Goats to Clear Overgrown Invasive Plants
Category
Using Goats to Clear Overgrown Invasive Plants
Category

Have you ever wondered why we use herds of goats to clear invasive plants, vines, and shrubs? This article goes in-depth about the process and shares some common Western PA weeds that our team can clear.

Category