Getting Candler Park into "Sheep" Shape

The two legged Friends of Candler Park in the last few years have done the best we can do in the battle of pesky invasive plants such as Poison Ivy, Kudzu and Privet.

It is now time to call in the pros. The furry Friends of Candler Park will have only one task this fall: eat and eliminate invasive plants around the nature path in the ravine (closest to the corner of McLendon Avenue and Callan Circle).

Trees Atlanta’s education and outreach program surrounding the sheep initiative is called “Have Ewe Herd?”

Trees Atlanta is often faced with extensive invasive plant removal in the green spaces where it works to preserve existing tree canopy and replant young trees (learn more about invasive plants). Typically, the non-profit citizens group uses multiple applications of herbicide to eliminate the pesky plants.

Though the chemicals are applied by licensed professionals and used as sparingly as possible, the Friends of Candler Park constantly seeks invasive plant control methods that are more environmentally-friendly.

“Sheep offer a low-impact solution for controlling invasive plants on sites that do not contain sensitive or endangered plants, as well as on steeply sloped properties,” said Trees Atlanta Forest Restoration Coordinator, Brian Williams.

”Each sheep can eat up to 150 square feet of kudzu per day.” The sheep in this program, hired from Ewe-niversally Green, are protected by a human shepherd and guard dogs. The sites are surrounded by electrified temporary fencing to keep the sheep safe and on-task while they are working. Depending on their appetite they should be here by mid to late October and gone by November.  (After the fall Fest.) Keep posted for the Sheep in Candler Park and come down and “Meet the Sheep”.

We hope that our four legged friends will motivate you to participate in this year's second Friends of Candler Park Mulch Madness in November. We could use your help.

For updates visit www.FriendsofCandlerPark.org.

Baaaaa!! Baaaaa!!

— Friends of Candler Park