Herbicides have no effect on it. Burning it doesn’t keep it at bay and, in fact, boosts its germination. But kudzu may have finally met its match in a flock of woolly creatures: sheep.
The excessive and uncontrollable growth of kudzu has been an ongoing problem for Atlanta’s neighborhood green spaces. At a growth rate of seven feet per week, this plant can completely engulf any structure or plant in its path.
According to its website, Ewe-niversally Green provides the most environmentally friendly method that successfully and permanently rids the environment of this green monster. The company hires out its flock of sheep and goats to graze on invasive plants such as kudzu, poison ivy and privet anywhere from backyards to public parks. Brian Cash, a dog trainer from Dunwoody, is the head shepherd of Ewe-niversally Green.
Recently, Trees Atlanta hired the flock. Greg Levine, co-executive director and chief program officer at Trees Atlanta said his organization has a six-month contract with Ewe-niversally Green to help combat kudzu in Intown and Midtown neighborhoods and parks, such as Candler Park and the Morningside Nature Preserve.
“We partner with Trees Atlanta, to have goats and sheep in our parks,” said George Dusenbury, commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. “By removing invasive plant species, the animals help native plants grow and thrive, improving habitat for native animals in our parks. Removing the undergrowth also makes our parks more attractive and safer, as people can see more areas of the park and what is going on in those areas.”
The flock visits each location twice to ensure the kudzu has been permanently removed.
“The first visit is three days per acre of kudzu, and the second visit is much quicker,” Levine said.
While the visits aren’t long, the surrounding community members appreciate their temporary neighbors and are impressed by the efficiency of the flock.
“I think it is a wonderfully innovative idea in an urban environment,” junior Eliza Renner said. “It’s a mutualistic relationship. They get fed. We aren’t bothered by invasive species. Plus, we’ve had grazers do our work for thousands of years. Why stop?”
Sophomore Ike Hammond, a resident of Candler Park, said he loves seeing sheep around the neighborhood.
“They are really sweet and cute, and it’s a great way for the community to handle an important matter as well as providing fun for the members of Candler Park,” Hammond said. “It’s a safe way to eradicate a pesky plant.”
According to the Ewe-niversally Green website, letting sheep and goats eat the kudzu away eliminates any use of harmful and toxic chemicals and also improves wildlife habitats. With kuzu eradicated, native trees and urban forests can survive, benefitting the environment and the overall quality of life in the neighborhood.
“The forest has valued services, such as clean air and water,” Levine said. “These services are greatly reduced when they are replaced by a monoculture of kudzu. A healthy diverse forest has a difficult-to-measure intrinsic value by giving the neighborhood a peaceful place to stroll, recreate and observe wildlife.”
