Mississauga Honored for Creative Goat Grazing Initiative

The City has been awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation due to its unique goat grazing initiative.

The City of Mississauga has been recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation for its goat grazing program. This award acknowledges Mississauga as the first city in Ontario to utilize goats for managing invasive plant species. The honor, presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and administered by Ontario Heritage Trust, celebrates exceptional achievements in heritage conservation.

A natural approach to tackling invasive plants

Using prescribed goat grazing is a gentle and eco-friendly method to manage invasive plants without resorting to herbicides. Invasive plants are not indigenous to Mississauga, and when they spread excessively, they can negatively impact natural areas, wildlife habitats, ecosystems, and the urban forest of the City.

Goats have a natural tendency to munch on many of Mississauga’s key invasive plant species. They can graze safely in sensitive areas such as wetlands and floodplains, as well as on difficult terrain where other methods might not work.

Growth and achievements of the program

The goat grazing initiative aligns with the adaptive management strategy outlined in the City’s Invasive Species Management Plan. It’s a multi-year effort targeting invasive plants across 1.2 hectares at five locations throughout Mississauga, which include wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands.

This program launched in 2024 when goats were introduced to help manage invasive flora in Erindale Park and O’Connor Park. Due to early successes, it expanded in 2025 to include Hewick Meadows, Totoredaca Park, and King’s Park.

What makes this program special

The City’s prescribed goat grazing initiative has showcased excellence through conservation efforts, innovation, and community engagement by:

• Providing an inventive solution for challenges related to managing invasive species-this includes disposing of these plants effectively while preventing seed dispersal, navigating tough terrains without difficulty, and minimizing herbicide use.
• Lowers herbicide application over 1.2 hectares of natural areas-this action helps safeguard the environment while reducing potential resistance among plants against herbicides.
• Create a monitoring system that tracks outcomes at each site so future initiatives can be improved based on best practices.
• Aiding other municipalities, Conservation Authorities, and groups focusing on invasive species by sharing knowledge on effective goat grazing strategies.

A strong interest from residents

The prescribed goat grazing program has also intrigued residents of Mississauga. It offers them a clear visual representation of how the City addresses invasive plants. The presence of goats has sparked discussions about how these species influence local ecosystems along with what actions are being taken by the City-and what residents can do-to assist this cause.

The return of goats in 2026 and 2027

Due to its immense success, these goats will be returning to Mississauga again in 2026 and 2027. You can catch them at the City’s Invasive Species Awareness Fair scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at Erindale Park.

Pioneering efforts in managing invasive species

The city remains a frontrunner in managing invasive species through its Invasive Species Management Plan. Over five years past implementation began; progress at priority sites is notable as they are more than halfway through full execution of this plan.

This award along with the city’s goat grazing initiative underscores their long-term commitment towards preserving natural spaces while minimizing reliance on herbicides-and promoting creative yet sustainable solutions for dealing with invasive species management.

You can learn more about the types of invasive species found in Mississauga along with ways to identify them as well as how to report or dispose of them properly.

Photo of Amory Ngan receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation from The Honourable Edith Dumont on April 17th ,2026. Photo credit: Dahlia Katz , Ontario Heritage Trust.

Photo featuring members from Mississauga’s Forestry team (Allie Abram , Lauren Negrazis , Amory Ngan , Paul Tripodo) accepting their award from Ontario Heritage Trust on April 17th ,2026. Photo credit: Dahlia Katz , Ontario Heritage Trust.

About the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards

The Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards were created back in 2006; they’re annual awards that recognize outstanding accomplishments within heritage conservation managed by the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Description of the Ontario Heritage Trust

This trust is dedicated towards conserving both cultural & natural heritages throughout our province ensuring it stays meaningful into future generations. Their vision is an Ontario where heritage gets appreciated & valued – celebrated , enjoyed & serves inspiration too! The trust aims towards being guiding light representing an area where preservation matters greatly – respected both locally & beyond!

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