Goats Enlisted for Eco-Friendly Brush Clearance in Pasadena's Arroyo Seco

600 goats will graze on fire-prone vegetation to reduce wildfire risk in the natural area.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:08pm

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An abstract, botanical-inspired painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric shapes and precise spiraling patterns that evoke the natural landscape and vegetation of the Arroyo Seco, conveying the complex interplay of natural forces in this urban ecosystem.Goats graze on fire-prone vegetation in Pasadena's Arroyo Seco, a natural corridor vulnerable to wildfires, in an innovative eco-friendly approach to brush clearance.Los Angeles Today

In a unique environmental initiative, the city of Pasadena is employing a herd of 600 goats to clear brush and reduce wildfire risk in the Arroyo Seco, a protected natural area in the city. The goats, provided by Capra Environmental Services, will graze on tall grasses and other vegetation for six to eight weeks, eliminating the need for power tools, tractors, or herbicides. This eco-friendly approach is gaining popularity across California as a way to manage fire-prone landscapes.

Why it matters

The Arroyo Seco is a vital natural corridor that connects communities in Pasadena, but it is also vulnerable to wildfires due to overgrowth and flammable vegetation. Using goats to clear the brush is a proactive fire prevention strategy that also helps maintain the health of the Arroyo's ecosystem by allowing native plants to regrow. This initiative comes after the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires in 2025, underscoring the importance of innovative solutions to address the growing threat of wildfires in California.

The details

The 600 goats being used in Pasadena are a Boer-Spanish mix, which are castrated male goats known as 'wethered' that are more gentle and low-maintenance. They have large appetites and can quickly consume wildfire fuels like tall weeds, bushes, and low-hanging tree leaves. Capra Environmental Services, the company providing the goats, has been working on a 54-acre site in Towsley Canyon Park in Santa Clarita since late March and will move the herd to the 100-acre Arroyo Seco site in Pasadena starting on April 18. The $85,000 cost of the project is being funded by the One Arroyo Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

  • From March 25 to April 17, the goats have been working in Towsley Canyon Park in Santa Clarita.
  • The goats will begin grazing in the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena on April 18 and continue for six to eight weeks.

The players

Capra Environmental Services

A company that provides goats for environmentally friendly brush clearance and fire mitigation.

One Arroyo Foundation

A nonprofit organization that is funding the goat-grazing project in the Arroyo Seco.

Paul Abess

One of the owners of Capra Environmental Services.

Patty Mundo

Fire environmental safety specialist for the Glendale Fire Department.

Daniel Rossman

Executive director of the One Arroyo Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“It is very environmentally friendly to use goats versus any other fire mitigation method. This is au naturale.”

— Paul Abess, Co-owner, Capra Environmental Services

“They have an endless appetite and will quickly devour wildfire fuel such as tall weeds, bushes and low-hanging tree leaves, which makes them an ideal and environmentally friendly alternative to heavy equipment and herbicides.”

— Patty Mundo, Fire environmental safety specialist, Glendale Fire Department

“We need to manage the landscape so people and nature can thrive, together. By having this nearby place so people can connect with nature. And with climate change, this threat will increase if we are not smart about it.”

— Daniel Rossman, Executive director, One Arroyo Foundation

What’s next

The goats will continue grazing in the Arroyo Seco for six to eight weeks, helping to reduce the risk of wildfires in the area.

The takeaway

Using goats for environmentally friendly brush clearance is a growing trend in California, as cities and communities look for innovative ways to manage fire-prone landscapes without relying on harmful chemicals or equipment. The Arroyo Seco project in Pasadena showcases how this approach can benefit both public safety and the health of natural ecosystems.