A grazing herd of 30 goats, sheep and a donkey are coming to O’Hare International (ORD) this summer to help manage vegetation on 11.5 acres of airport property.
The Sustainable Vegetation Management initiative, originally a pilot program and now in its sixth season, is part of an initiative by Chicago Department of Aviation CDA to find sustainable solutions for the airport.
“For six summers, this program has provided sustenance to dozens of furry friends, as well as an environmentally friendly alternative to keep areas around the airfield safe and properly maintained,” says Jamie Rhee, CDA commissioner. “It’s all part of our commitment to ensure our airports have a positive impact on their surrounding ecosystems as O’Hare grows in the years ahead.”
This year’s herd will graze the airport land along the embankments of Willow-Higgins Creek, providing an eco-friendly means of clearing overgrown and invasive vegetation.
