The Meadoway is welcoming some new caretakers this fall!
As part of a research project, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and partners are bringing sheep and goats to The Meadoway to explore sustainable ways to manage and maintain urban meadows.
Come and Meet the Team!
Join us at our FREE Graze The Meadoway event to learn how goats and sheep can support sustainable long-term meadow maintenance in the city!
Bring the whole family for a day of engaging activities, interactive displays, and educational talks. Learn about the grazing project, discover the important role meadows play in our city, and enjoy a unique opportunity to connect with nature and our guest meadow managers!
Date and Time: Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Thomson Memorial Park | 1005 Brimley Road, Scarborough, ON M1P 3E8
About The Meadoway Grazing Project
TRCA is exploring the use of goats and sheep in The Meadoway as a natural meadow management tool.
In healthy meadow ecosystems, natural disturbances such as fire and flooding help to control vegetation, reduce the buildup of dead plant material, and create opportunities for new plant growth.
Because The Meadoway is situated in a hydro corridor, some traditional meadow management approaches, such as prescribed burning, are not feasible.
TRCA is conducting this research trial to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted grazing as a way to mimic these natural ecological processes.
The goats and sheep for this project are provided by The Big Crunch Grazing Company, an Ontario-based targeted grazing service.
Through targeted grazing, the animals help to manage vegetation, including invasive plant species, and reduce accumulated biomass.
They also help to break down thatch, the layer of dead and living plant material above the soil surface, allowing more sunlight to reach the ground and giving new plants greater access to nutrients and moisture.
Because targeted grazing is still relatively uncommon in urban meadow environments, this project provides an opportunity to evaluate its effectiveness as a meadow management tool and compare its outcomes with current mechanical management practices.
The project team hopes to see measurable reductions in excess vegetation and thatch, along with increased plant diversity, improved habitat quality, and enhanced germination and growth of desirable meadow species.
The results of the project will support future land management decisions and contribute to best practices for maintaining healthy, diverse meadow ecosystems within The Meadoway and other urban natural areas.
Key Project Details
- Grazing activities will occur from September 23 to September 29, 2026 with livestock grazing for approximately 12 hours per day.
- The research trial will take place within the hydro corridor adjacent to Thomson Memorial Park.
- Visitors can safely view the grazing operation from the multi-use trail located south of the study area
- Total research plots: 13 plots, each approximately 600 m2
- Plots are divided into:
- Nine grazing plots: Designed to test different levels of vegetation removal. By comparing these treatments, researchers can determine which grazing intensity best supports desired meadow management outcomes.
- Three mowing treatment plots: Managed using conventional meadow maintenance techniques. These treatments will be compared with grazing to evaluate the relative effectiveness of each approach.
- One control plot: No treatment. This plot provides a baseline for comparison, allowing researchers to measure how vegetation changes in treated plots relative to an area where no management intervention occurs.
Project Area Map
Select the image below to view full-sized.
About The Meadoway
The Meadoway is a transformative initiative in Scarborough to revitalize 16 linear kilometers of hydro corridor between the Don River Ravine and Rouge National Urban Park.
The Meadoway has created a vibrant and diverse vegetation community that provides habitat for local wildlife such as birds, bees, and other pollinators.
Restoring The Meadoway has delivered benefits such as:
- Increased ecosystem resilience and biodiversity
- Improved wildlife habitat, increased natural cover and enhanced natural corridors
- Reduced soil erosion and compaction due to deep rooted native plant species
- Flood mitigation through deep rooted meadow plants
- Increased carbon sequestration within above and below ground biomass
- Facilitation of recreational and community activities
- Support for active and healthy lifestyles
The Meadoway has been made possible through the support of the Weston Family Foundation, working in partnership with TRCA, the City of Toronto, the Government of Canada, and local communities. TRCA has also worked closely with Hydro One Networks Inc. and Infrastructure Ontario to facilitate restoration and trail work.
VISIT THE MEADOWAY WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
Grazing FAQs
Why graze The Meadoway?
Grazing is being used as a natural way to help manage and maintain meadow habitat.
In healthy prairie and meadow ecosystems, natural disturbances such as grazing, fire, and flooding help control invasive species, reduce the growth of trees and shrubs, and create conditions that allow new plants to grow. These processes also reduce the buildup of dead plant material and increase sunlight reaching the ground.
Because activities such as prescribed burns are not permitted within the hydro corridor, TRCA is exploring the use of goats and sheep to mimic these natural processes. The animals help manage woody vegetation and invasive species while encouraging healthy meadow growth and plant diversity.
Why goats and sheep?
Goats and sheep graze differently, making them an effective combination for meadow management:
- Goats prefer woody vegetation such as shrubs and young tree growth.
- Sheep graze closer to the ground and prefer grasses and herbaceous plants.
Together, they help manage a wider range of vegetation and provide a more balanced approach to meadow stewardship.
Where are the goats from?
The animals are provided by The Big Crunch Grazing Company, an Ontario-based targeted grazing service.
Where are the animals kept?
When not actively grazing, the animals are housed within a secure fenced area adjacent to the trial site. The fencing helps protect both the animals and the public.
What are the goats/sheep eating?
The animals will graze on a variety of meadow plants, including woody vegetation, invasive species, and other herbaceous plants growing within the study areas.
How long will the animals be here?
The grazing trial will take approximately five to seven days from start to finish.
Are the animals treated well?
Yes. Animal welfare is a top priority.
The goats and sheep have continual access to fresh water and are carefully monitored throughout the project. The shepherd overseeing the animals is trained in animal husbandry and veterinary care procedures.
Fencing is used to keep both the animals and visitors safe, and all operations comply with applicable Hydro One and City of Toronto requirements.
Does the electric fence hurt the animals?
No. Properly installed electric fencing is designed as a psychological barrier, not a harmful one.
If an animal touches the fence, it receives a brief, mild shock that teaches it to avoid the fence in the future. This is a common and safe livestock management practice.
What happens to the goats and sheep after the project?
After the project is complete, the animals return to their farm. They are not being raised for meat, milk, or other products associated with this project.
Can I pet the goats and sheep?
Please do not touch the animals or the fencing.
These animals are working and can become stressed by close interaction with large numbers of visitors. Viewing them from outside the fenced area helps keep both the animals and the public safe.
Can I use goats and sheep for grazing on my own property?
It depends on local regulations.
Property owners considering grazing animals should check local zoning requirements, municipal by-laws, animal welfare requirements, and permitting processes before proceeding.
Do they have names?
Yes! Many of the animals have names, including Moose. Please ask the staff on-site for the names of some of the animals.
How much do they eat in a day?
Goats can consume up to 4% of their body weight in vegetation each day.
The animals will graze within approximately 6,000 square metres of treatment plots for up to 12 hours daily. Following the trial, monitoring teams will assess how much vegetation was removed in each plot.
Why is there a dog on site?
Herding dogs help gather, guide, and protect livestock.
They allow the shepherd to move animals safely and efficiently while reducing stress on the herd. Herding dogs are an important part of livestock management operations.
Where do the animals sleep?
Each evening, the animals will be moved to a secure overnight pen within Thomson Memorial Park adjacent to the hydro corridor, where they will be monitored by the shepherd.
How many goats and sheep are on site?
There are approximately 40 animals participating in the trial, including both goats and sheep.
How old are they?
The herd includes animals of various ages.
What are the tags in their ears?
Ear tags are used to identify individual animals and maintain health, veterinary, and management records. Each tag is linked to a specific animal.
Research Project FAQs
Why are you grazing?
Historically, meadow and prairie ecosystems were maintained by natural disturbances such as fire, grazing, and flooding. These disturbances reduce the buildup of dead plant material, remove excess vegetation, and create space for new growth.
Since prescribed burning is not permitted within The Meadoway hydro corridor, grazing is being tested as an alternative management tool.
Are there other ways to achieve similar results?
Yes.
Methods such as mowing and mechanical vegetation management can provide some benefits. However, grazing may provide additional ecological benefits by selectively targeting vegetation and more closely mimicking natural ecological processes.
How much is all of this going to cost?
The grazing trial is funded through private support from the Weston Family Foundation.
How often will grazing be needed?
This project is being conducted as a research trial.
Results will help determine whether grazing is an effective management tool for The Meadoway. If successful, grazing could potentially be used on a rotational basis every two to three years, depending on site conditions and management objectives.
What impact will this have on the meadow?
The project will help land managers better understand how grazing can be used to support healthy urban meadow habitats.
Researchers will assess changes in vegetation, biomass, plant diversity, and regrowth following the trial.
Are the animals supposed to eat everything?
No.
The goal is not to remove all vegetation. Grazing is intended to reduce excess biomass, control invasive species and encroaching shrubs, and create opportunities for a greater diversity of meadow plants to thrive.
Why are the animals restricted to certain areas?
This is a research project designed to test different grazing intensities.
The site includes nine study plots:
- Three plots grazed to approximately 30% vegetation removal
- Three plots grazed to approximately 60% vegetation removal
- Three plots grazed to approximately 80% vegetation removal
Researchers will compare results among the plots to determine which grazing intensity best supports meadow management goals.
Who is responsible for this project?
The project is being led by TRCA in collaboration with the City of Toronto and Hydro One.
What if the animals eat native plants?
Some grazing of native plants is expected and is part of natural meadow processes.
Many native meadow species evolved alongside grazing animals and can respond positively to light grazing by producing new growth and flowers. Monitoring will help assess any impacts on the plant community.
Safety FAQs
Do the animals pose a threat to the local ecosystem?
Not when properly managed.
To minimize impacts, the animals are moved regularly between fenced grazing areas to prevent overgrazing and excessive soil disturbance. The project is carefully monitored throughout its duration.
Are goats and sheep safe around children and pets?
Yes.
The animals will remain within secured fencing throughout the project and do not pose a direct risk to visitors who remain outside the grazing areas.
Are dogs allowed in the area?
Yes, but dogs must remain leashed and outside all grazing enclosures and fenced areas.
What if my dog is friendly?
Even friendly dogs can stress livestock.
Visitors are asked to keep dogs on leash and away from the fenced grazing areas. This helps protect the grazing animals, the herding dogs, and your pet.
What if a dog is barking loudly at the animals?
Excessive barking or attempts to approach the livestock can cause stress to the animals and interfere with the grazing operation.
Visitors are asked to move away from the grazing area if their dog becomes disruptive.
Is this being paid for with taxpayer dollars?
This project is funded through support from the Weston Family Foundation.
Additional support may come from provincial and federal grant programs that support environmental restoration and research initiatives.