Innovation solutions to everyday problems is strongly encouraged at Caltrans.

In the San Diego area – innovation was disguised as a herd of goats.

Caltrans used the National Fire Prevention Association’s fire prevention week (Oct. 9-15) for a pilot program to use goats to remove brush.

The steepness of the slope at Interstate 8 and Puetz Valley Road in Alpine poses a risk of injury for human workers. Goats are sure-footed for this kind of terrain.

The goats were also used as part of an Integrated Vegetation Management Program with hydro-seed to compete against weeds and promote the growth of native vegetation. This approach lessens soil erosion and reduces the need for herbicides.

In the Caltrans News Flash above, spokesman Hayden Manning speaks with Johnny Gonzalez, the proprietor of Environmental Land Management, who explains the advantages of using goats to remove non-native vegetation and create fire breaks.