For one final summer, the sheep are coming back to Governors Island to rid the area of invasive plant species.
The sheep, named Evening, Chad, Philip Aries, Bowie, and Jupiter, have taken on the task of clearing the island’s Hammock Grove of phragmites, bindweed and mugwort, munching along on the plants all summer long.
This is the sheep’s fifth season on Governors Island. Since 2021, the grazing sheep have eaten around 15 acres worth of invasive plant species, saving Island gardeners thousands of hours in manpower while preserving Governors Island’s heterogeneous ecosystem. Thanks to the sheep, the team at Governors Island has been able to open up more pathways in Hammock Grove.
The sheep hail from Albany’s Friends of Tivoli Lake Preserve and Farm, where they will return after their final summer on Governors Island. The farm staff often report that the sheep come back a “bit more aggressive than normal,” joking that the sheep had toughened up during their time in the big city.
The sheep will be grazing on plants from now through Sept. 30. Like in the past years, Governors Island, in partnership with Friends of Tivoli Lake Preserve and Farm, will host several sheep-themed events for their final summer, which have yet to be announced. Stay up to date at www.govisland.com/things-to-do/recreation/hammock-grove-sheep.
