Goat vs machine – Grays Lily

Posted: February 26th, 2010 | Author: Ken | Filed under: outdoor education | Tags: , , , , , | No Comments »

Here is a quick 4 minute video with Jamey Donaldson, Research Biologists and Manager of the Baa-tany Goat Project.

You will learn one advantage the goats have over the machine in restoring the grassy balds of Roan Mountain.

Learn how the goats create an advantage for the rare Grays Lily.

If you would like to be a part of this restoration project, download the Goad Adoption Form.

You can adopt a goat for the 2010 season. You get to name the goat and receive a certificate of adoption and a lock of your goats hair. Pretty cool.

But there are a limited number of goats for adoption.  Adopt yours today.

Check it out here:  Baa-tany Goat Project Adoption Form.pdf

And I hope to see you on the mountain.

Ken

ken@MountainTips.com


Baa-tany Goat Project and Jamey Donaldson

Posted: February 10th, 2010 | Author: Ken | Filed under: outdoor education | Tags: , , , , , , | No Comments »

While you are snuggled up by the fire (again), waiting out another snow storm, here is something to get you thinking of warmer days and getting on top of a mountain.

Here is a short video with Jamey Donaldson of the Baa-tany Goat Project.

YouTube Preview Image

Go here for the Baa-tany Goat Project

Go here for the Friends of Roan Mountain

If you have questions email me: ken@MountainTips.com


Roan Mountain Goat Project – Update

Posted: September 30th, 2009 | Author: Ken | Filed under: outdoor education | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

On Labor Day weekend, I had the honor and the privilege to be a temporary goatherd.  Yes, I know what you are saying: “Why?”

Baa-tany Goat Project - Year two on Roan  Higlands.

  Baa-tany Goat Project.

This is the second year of the Baa-tany Goat Project to restore the grassy balds on the Roan Highlands.  This is along the Appalachian Trail from Carver’s Gap, at the North Carolina – Tennessee state line to the slope of Grassy Ridge to the east.

Why? Because I see what will be lost in a few short years if nothing is done.  Jamey Donaldson is the research biologist in charge of the Baa-tany Goat Project.  He presented a pictorial record at one of the Naturalists’ Rallies.  You could see and compare the pictures for yourself.  Or, if you have hiked the grassy balds over  any length of time, you have seen for yourself the ever invasive blackberries growing where there used to be open grassy areas.  If you get a chance to see Jamey’s presentation, you will be stunned by how rapid the invasion really is.

 
So that is why I am interested in helping with the Baa-tany Goat Project.  By goat-sitting for a weekend, Jamey got to go off the mountain for a while.  I got to camp in the gap between Grassy Bald and Jane Bald. And do a little bit to help restore and preserve these wonders.