Howard, WI (September 1, 2022) – Meadowbrook Park in the village of Howard will soon be home to additional pollinator-friendly spaces and a temporary home to a herd of goats. Thanks to a donation from Cellcom, the village of Howard will be transforming two areas of Meadowbrook Park currently infiltrated with invasive species into pollinator gardens.
To reduce negative environmental impact of the project, goats will be used as an initial measure to clear the space. Goats graze as a herd and are known to eat almost anything within the confines of a fenced in area. This includes invasive, hard-to-eliminate plants like Canada goldenrod and buckthorn that are present in Meadowbrook Park. The benefit of restoration grazing service is no gas-powered heavy equipment and a decreased need for herbicides.
“Pollinators are vital to sustaining healthy ecosystems that support everything from the food we eat to clean air to stable soils. With research showing that pollinator populations are on the decline, we need to do what we can to prevent further loss. Communities taking the lead like the village of Howard can further inspire citizens to take part,” said Kevin Corbett, engineering technician with Brown County Land Water & Conservation Department. “Restoration grazing certainly adds to the interest of the project and is a sustainable method of starting a transformation.”
Cellcom is a long-time supporter of sustainability projects and implemented pollinator-friendly spaces at its corporate offices in Howard when the building was constructed in 1999.
“Cellcom is focused on reducing our negative impact on the environment and investing in projects in our communities that do the same. This project is in our backyard and has the support of local citizens and the village of Howard. We’re proud that we’re able to provide the funding to make it a reality,” said Mick O’Malley, director of sustainability at Cellcom.
The village of Howard expects to seed the areas in the spring. Pollinator projects take time to reach full growth, however, residents should enjoy some first-year flowers–and the pollinators they attract–next summer.
“This project will beautify and make use of vacant land within Meadowbrook Park that would otherwise not see much attention. We see this as a pilot project and hope to continue to work with Brown County Land & Water Conservation to plant more pollinator gardens on other village land,” said Paul Evert, village administrator for Howard. “We hope residents will stop down and see the space as it grows and consider adding natural landscaping at their homes and businesses in the future.”
The goats from Liberation Farmers will arrive for duty on Labor Day and will be located along one of the paths in Meadowbrook Park. The goats are fenced in utilizing a low-voltage, solar-powered electric fence. Those viewing the goats are asked to remain a safe distance from the fencing. Those interested in viewing the goats work online or learning more about the project can visit cellcom.com/green.
Brown County Land & Water Conservation has pollinator seed mix available for purchase along with a resource guide from Brown County UW-Extension. The seed mix is available at their office at 2019 Technology Way, Ste. 104, Green Bay between 7:00AM-3:30PM. The packet will cover up to 1000 square feet for $15. The office can be reached at 920-391-4637.
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Tammy VanDenBusch
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Cindy Durand
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