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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Atlanta, GA | Posted: October 10, 2016
Rachael Pocklington
Institute Communications
Kudzu, originally brought to the United States from Japan as an ornamental shrub useful in stopping soil erosion, has become a nuisance in the South due to its invasive nature – growing up to a foot per day and quickly taking over trees.
Summary Sentence:
For a third consecutive year, Georgia Tech is getting the help of woolly, four-legged friends to help control one of the most invasive plants in the South — the dreaded kudzu.
Full Summary:
For a third consecutive year, Georgia Tech is getting the help of woolly, four-legged friends to help control one of the most invasive plants in the South — the dreaded kudzu.
Sheep Help Control Campus KudzuFor a third consecutive year, Georgia Tech is getting the help of woolly, four-legged friends to help control one of the most invasive plants in the South — the dreaded kudzu.
“Managing a particularly overgrown area requires multiple grazing sessions with sheep,” says Jerry Young, landscape project manager in Facilities Management. “It is an eco-friendly way to remove pervasive vegetation because it doesn’t require the application of pesticides.”
By grazing on the kudzu leaves, or any vegetation within their reach, the sheep essentially deplete the root reserves. To optimize the effectiveness of this method, it is important to follow through by removing any remaining foliage and repeating the grazing process several times within 24 months.
According to Young, they are looking at other areas on campus that would benefit from this sustainable solution, especially as they continue to develop the campus Eco-Commons.
So if you see sheep on campus, let them be. They are hard at work.
The sheep are expected to remain on campus until Sunday, October 16.
