No ‘Kidding’! Goats and Community Come Together for an Earth Day Stewardship Event on Friday, April 25

The District of Sooke, in collaboration with Friends of Sooke Parks Society, is excited to host an Earth Day Community Stewardship Event at Woodland Creek Park on Friday, April 25, 2025. This inaugural event, funded jointly through the Local Government Climate Action Program and a UBCM FireSmart program grant, will bring together students, community members, and local organizations to support environmental restoration and wildfire prevention efforts.

The morning portion of the event (9:45 AM – 11:30 AM) will be predominantly reserved for local schools, engaging students in a combination of park stewardship activities and an educational FireSmart station, culminating in a unique opportunity to feed invasive species to goats. The event will include:

• Small tree planting to restore native habitat
• Invasive species removal, addressing plants that threaten local ecosystems
• FireSmart education, helping students understand wildfire prevention
• Litter pick-up along community routes to keep Sooke clean
• Goat grazing, a sustainable method of invasive species control

Following the school-based activities, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, we are pleased to welcome homeschool families and members of the public to join in the stewardship efforts and meet the goats.

To ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all participants, we kindly request that dogs remain on-leash while the goats are in the park.

Goats as an Invasive Species Solution

One of the highlights of this event is the use of goat grazing for invasive plant removal. Goats provide an effective and eco-friendly alternative to mechanical or chemical methods by naturally grazing on invasive plants such as Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry. This approach not only helps restore native ecosystems but also provides an engaging learning opportunity for participants of all ages.

A Pilot Project for Future Stewardship Initiatives

As an inaugural event, this Earth Day initiative is being treated as a pilot project, with the hope of hosting similar stewardship events in other areas of the community. By engaging schools, families, and the broader public, the District of Sooke aims to foster long-term environmental stewardship and strengthen wildfire resiliency.

“Caring for the environment and coming together as a community is in our nature,” says Christina Moog, Manager of Communications and Community Relations. “This event is a fun, hands-on way to celebrate Earth Day while connecting neighbours to one another and to the land we share.”

A Full Weekend of Community Engagement

The celebration of Earth Day continues Saturday, April 26, alongside the opening day of the Sooke Country Market, where attendees can visit a variety of interactive information stations highlighting environmental initiatives and sustainability practices alongside the Market.

Following this, on Sunday, April 27, the FireSmart Plant Program will officially launch at The Artisan Garden, providing homeowners with resources and guidance on selecting fire-resistant plants to enhance community wildfire resilience.

Additionally, community members are encouraged to support local businesses at Sookarama, which takes place on Saturday, April 26, from 10 AM to 3 PM at SEAPARC. This annual business showcase highlights the many services and products available within Sooke, making it a great way to connect with local entrepreneurs.

While not required, signing up is encouraged. Anyone wishing to volunteer for the event may sign up here:

>>> Volunteer Sign Up

This initiative aligns with Action 3.2, which focuses on promoting environmental sustainability initiatives that contribute to economic resilience. By inviting community participation in such stewardship events, the District fosters environmental awareness and community engagement.