Portland Grazing Goat Trial

Scrub control the natural way!

TheTrial

The Portland Grazing Goat Trial aims to test the effectiveness of British primitive goats for controlling native and non-native scrub. The trial area covers East Weares and Penn’s Weare on the east coast of Portland. This is an area of  exposed limestone cliffs, old quarries, boulders and thin soils which supports a mix of scrub and open rock and grassy areas. The scrub is steadily encroaching on the open areas and the trial aims to use the goats to control the spread of the shrub areas.

Last updated 26/12/2007

This project is funded by Natural England and is a community partnership between Island Volunteers for You (IVY), Kingston Maurward College, and the Portland Ranger Project.

Goat Welfare

The goats have free range over the Weares, but will be carefully monitored. They will get water from the food they eat and natural water supplies. There are good natural boundaries to stop the goats roaming. There is plenty of natural shelter available.

 

The goats will be checked regularly by IVY volunteers and Kingston Maurward College staff.

If you encounter a goat:

Do not approach the goats and please do not hand-feed them. These are wild goats and we want them to remain wild!

 

If you should see a goat in distress then ring 01305 826100.

A leaflet about the project is available from the IVY Office and the Chesil Visitors Centre. You can also download a PDF version by clicking here (1Mbyte)

Pictures taken 26/12/2007 at the old rifle range on East Weares. SY703727.

Scrub clearance in action!