July 7, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Goats Two, The Sequel, is coming to East Knoxville Thursday

Knoxville, TN - Following up on the smash hit from the summer of 2013, the goats are returning to Williams Creek Urban Forest for a second season of eating those invasive weeds and grasses that we all hate, but goats love.

The goats will start to chow down on the Williams Creek Urban Forest weeds at 11 AM, Thursday, July 10, 2014 on the property located near the intersection of Brooks and Daily streets.  The goats will stay on the urban forest until October.

The Tennessee Clean Water Network is working with Whistlepig Farms (www.whistlepigfarmsgoats.com) and the city of Knoxville to restore the Williams Creek Urban Forest and the surrounding properties.  The final phase of the urban forest acquisition, which was funded by the Aslan Foundation and Alcoa Foundation, was deeded to the city in June of this year.

Restoration plans for the property call for using goats to combat invasive species on the land for a three-year period, creating an interpretive trail through the property and working with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to remove Williams Creek from its list of impaired waterbodies due to habitat alteration and e.coli contamination.

“It’s great to have the goats back for another summer of fine dining on kudzu, privet and honeysuckle vine,” said Renée Victoria Hoyos, TCWN’s Executive Director.  “They did a wonderful job of trimming back the weeds in an environmentally friendly way without the use of herbicides and other chemicals that would threaten water quality in Williams Creek. Plus they are a joy to have around for the summer. Hoyos also said that Otter, the goat-herding dog, will be returning to Williams Creek Urban Forest again this year to chaperone the goats.

The public is welcome to join us to greet the goats on Thursday. This event is kid friendly.