Wave Staff Report
WHITTIER — Río Hondo College is taking a nature-based approach to fire prevention, bringing goats to the campus to help manage vegetation and reduce potential fire hazards while creating a safer environment for students, employees and community members.
To give the community an opportunity to learn more about the effort and meet the goats, the college hosted a free goat grazing meet and greet Aug. 21, near the campus library.
The goats, managed by Fire Grazers, are grazing targeted areas of the college campus to naturally clear grass, weeds and other vegetation that can become fuel for wildfires.
Those attending the event were able to pet and interact with the goats, and meet a Fire Grazers representative on hand to share information about the goats. Alfalfa was provided so guests could safely feed the goats.
“Creating a safe and welcoming campus environment for our students is fundamental to everything we do,” said Superintendent/President Don Moya-Miller. “Using goats to manage vegetation gives us an effective, nature-based approach to fire prevention while also creating an opportunity for our students and community to learn more about how we care for our campus.”
The grazing effort is part of the college’s broader commitment to maintaining a safe campus and proactively reducing fire risks, especially during the hotter months for the hillside campus
“Protecting our students, employees and community is always a priority for the Board of Trustees,” said Board of Trustees President Rosaelva Lomeli. “Proactive efforts like goat grazing help reduce fire risks while demonstrating how the college can use creative and environmentally conscious approaches to keep our campus safe.”
