RALEIGH, N.C. —Coastal Credit Union is bringing in some four-legged help to tackle overgrown vegetation at its Raleigh headquarters.
The $6.2-billion credit union has partnered with Triangle-area Goats on the Go to use grazing goats to clear brush, vines, weeds and invasive plants from its campus over a two-week period, Coastal said.
The practice, known as targeted grazing, uses goats as an alternative to conventional landscaping methods such as heavy equipment and herbicides. Coastal said the approach can control unwanted vegetation while minimizing disruption to wildlife and the surrounding environment.
Specialty Work
Goats on the Go specializes in using herds to clear vegetation, including areas that may be difficult for conventional landscaping equipment to reach.
Coastal said the project is part of its broader sustainability and community-impact efforts while also offering employees an unusual workplace experience.
“It’s not every day you come to work and see a herd of goats outside your office,” Jennifer Gallagher, Coastal’s vice president of support services and branch expansion, said in a statement. “While they’ll be hard at work clearing vegetation, we’re excited about the way this project brings people together to create a memorable employee experience and support our commitment to community impact.”
Learning Opportunities for Staff
Employees will also have opportunities during the two-week project to learn about targeted grazing through educational activities. Coastal said fundraising activities connected with the project will benefit the Coastal Credit Union Foundation.
Targeted grazing has gained attention as organizations and property owners look for alternatives to mechanical or chemical vegetation management. Goats can consume a variety of brush, weeds and invasive plants while working on steep, uneven or otherwise difficult-to-access terrain.
