An appetite for destruction

WAUPACA – The next phase of the Lyman Dayton Trail project is set to start Sept. 15 with goats to graze on the trail to help restore habitat and eat invasive plants.
The goats will be coming in on Sept. 15 from Liberation Farmers, LLC and will be placed along the trail to consume the invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle.
The renovation of the Lyman Dayton Trail at the Town of Dayton Town Hall, began about two years ago when the Dayton Community Connection (DCC), saw the trail was overgrown.
Julie Mazzoleni, a member of the DCC, said that she hopes to restore the trail not only for the community but to also be able to restore the land to its natural habitat.
The honeysuckle and the buckthorn were estimated to be about 50 years old when a forest mower went through the trail last spring to clear the bulk of it out.

Mazzoleni said the clearing of the honeysuckle and buckthorn by forest mower is only a temporary solution which is what led the group to hire goats to get rid of the invasive plants entirely.
The goats are set to arrive Sept. 15.
“Goats are a natural and effective way to manage the invasive plants such as buckthorn and honeysuckle, which are crowding out native vegetation and making it difficult for wildlife to thrive,” Mazzoleni said.
The land on the north side was split into ten segments, which was estimated to take up to 12 days for the goats to clear.
Goats are becoming a popular and natural way to get rid of invasive plants, reducing the need for use of herbicides.
Recently goats have been seen in Iola on the Iola Lions River Walk where goats were hired to clear the buckthorn crowding the walk and they are also set to return this fall as well as next spring and fall to finish up the job.
According to Michigan Tech, goats have an expansive digestive system and the seeds they ingest will not germinate after the goat passes them, making them a natural invasive plant eradicator.
The DCC is inviting the community to join them Sept. 27 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the Hoofin’ it for Habitat event where guests can walk the trail and watch the goats, as well as learn about their role in the conservation management and restoration of the Lyman Dayton Trail.
There will also be limited edition goat-themed swag there.
The DCC ask that you do not bring your dogs, for the safety of not only the dog but the goats as well.
The Lyman Dayton Trail is located at the Town of Dayton Town Hall at N2285 on State Highway 22.
Mazzoleni said the group is hoping they are able to gather more volunteers to help with the project saying there are a number of ways that people can help, including assisting in cleanup, restorative efforts and administration.
More information can be found at their Facebook page at Dayton Community Connection as well as their web site www.dayton-connection.com.
Anyone interested in volunteering can email DCC at daytoncommunityconnection@gmail.com.
Anyone wanting to make a donation to the restoration and conservation efforts happening at the Lyman Dayton Trail you can mail a check to Dayton Community Connection, P.O. Box 124, King, Wisconsin, 54946-0124.