2026 Goat Grazing
In April of 2026 the City of Pasadena, in public/private partnership with One Arroyo Foundation, executed a contract with Capra Environmental to graze 100 acres of the Arroyo Seco as a "pilot program" to tackle vegetation management.
The result was an unmitigated disaster.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb5l6oOEGdY
Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting, May 2026
8:31 Many other public agencies use goat grazing as a tool. So I think that speaks to the success of that type of program. That not just one city has adopted it. Multiple cities have used this as a tool. It's not something new. Grazing is an ancient practice that's been around on the planet for as long as there has been herbivore animals walking around.
After the meeting I caught the tail end of a conversation between a commissioner and Koko. When asked if girdling kills tree Koko's response was "I'm no longer a practicing arborist." When asked if he'd been to the grazing sites Koko's response was "No."
Biological Assessment
The grazing area ranges from the top of the Central Arroyo (just below the "Upper Arroyo" label) to the very bottom of the Lower Arroyo. Some sections have been skipped. I have informally surveyed and continue to document the grazing area.
Arroyo One Foundation's Goats page