News & Events

July 17, 2007

CONTACT:

Carl Young, Interim Director of Communications
425.352.8256
cyoung@cascadia.edu

Cascadia Community College and UW Bothell Hire Goats for Brush and Weed Control

Bothell, WA - Dr. Bill Christopher, president of Cascadia Community College and Dr. Kenyon Chan, Chancellor of UW Bothell welcomed 60 environment-friendly specialists to their shared campus last week. The specialists in environmentally sound landscaping practices moved onto the Bothell campus for an intensive week of weed and brush control. Terms of their contract require them to stay on the hillside behind the campus library and eat blackberry bushes and other invasive weeds.

The accommodations might seem Spartan to the average consultant, but these specialists—hungry goats—expressed no reservations or complaints. Provided by Tammy Dunakin of Rent-a-Ruminant, the goats wasted no time after arriving in the back of a pickup truck and a horse trailer.

“Our joint campus is pesticide-free and has made a commitment to reduce the impact we have on the environment,” said Dr. Christopher. “The goats are part of our overall commitment to environmentally benign practices. We have completed many projects to reduce electricity and water use, but this one seems to have generated the most excitement on campus.”

The goats will be “working” for one week. “At this time of year, the goats are busy every day,” said Ms. Dunakin. “Recently, the business has really started to grow because of the problem with invasive weed species and growing environmental awareness.”

“The goat weed control solution fits well with many other sustainable initiatives underway on the campus,” said Dee Sliney, Director of Facilities and Auxiliary Programs for Cascadia. “Besides, since the campus is pesticide-free, it’s better for the goats, too!”

Cascadia Community College, located in Bothell, shares a campus with the University of Washington Bothell. Cascadia, which opened its doors in fall 2000, provides small classes and innovative instruction to more than 2,500 students each quarter. Students earn a variety of degrees, certificates, job training and basic skills. For more information, see: www.cascadia.edu.

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