By Jennifer Schustek, Village of Iola President

If you’re strolling along the Riverwalk and think you hear a “baa” in the bushes, don’t be alarmed! The Village of Iola has officially welcomed a team of adorable, eco-friendly workers: goats.

That’s right, goats.

These furry little munchers are here on an important mission: to help us tackle an invasive plant species called Buckthorn. Buckthorn might sound harmless, but it’s a real bully in our natural landscape. It spreads aggressively, pushing out native plants and disrupting the local ecosystem.

Thankfully, our goat crew is up to the challenge. Using goats to control Buckthorn is actually a widely accepted method, supported by the Wisconsin DNR and backed by science. They love eating the stuff, and their hooves even help till the soil as they go — talk about multitasking!

Best of all? This project comes at no cost to Iola taxpayers. Thanks to generous donations from individuals and local businesses, we’re able to bring in our hungry helpers without dipping into village funds. It’s a cost-effective, chemical-free solution that also happens to be downright cute.

So next time you’re walking the trail, give a wave (or maybe a “maaa”) to Iola’s newest natural landscapers. They’re working hard to keep our Riverwalk beautiful — one bite at a time.

And remember, don’t feed the goats and don’t touch the fence!