Invasive Species Awareness Fair highlights why Mississauga is one of the “G.O.A.T” when it comes to restoration

Mississauga’s award-winning forestry team is a proud leader in sustainability and green initiatives. On May 25, 2024, Mississauga became the first municipality in Ontario to use goat grazing for the control of invasive species in the floodplain of the Credit River at Erindale Park.

This year, we’re bringing the goats back!

Goat grazing is an environmentally-friendly alternative to using herbicides for invasive species control, and can be used in sensitive habitats, around wetlands or on difficult terrain where other control methods may not be feasible.

The goats will be returning to Erindale Park to continue grazing the area, which started last May. Goats consume plants, which eliminates biomass disposal requirements for the city. There are also environmental benefits such as: reducing the use of herbicides and the use of gasoline-powered equipment to control invasive species and stimulating the regrowth of native seedbanks and increase biodiversity.

Stay tuned for more details on goat projects taking place later this summer but help us welcome the goats back to Mississauga by attending the Invasive Species Awareness Fair at Erindale Park from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 24.

Event details

What

Join us and learn about invasive species and enjoy fun activities. You’ll learn to detect, report and protect Mississauga’s green and natural spaces. The event includes:

• Goat grazing
• Informational booths hosted by local environmental organizations
• Guided Walks (45 minutes to one hour in length) at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m.
• Native plant giveaway
• Live music by artist Benji Crane
• Face painting
• Kids activities (lawn games and activity books)
• Garlic mustard pull
• Snacks and access to a food truck. Please bring your own water bottles.
• Meet and greet Forrest, our Forestry mascot!

Who

Mississauga residents interested in learning more about invasive species in Mississauga.

Registration is not required. If joining the guided nature walk and/or garlic mustard removal, participants must sign a waiver once they arrive (if under 18 years old, a parent or guardian will need to sign the waiver).

When

Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This is a rain or shine event.

Where

Erindale Park
1695 Dundas St. W.
Mississauga, ON

The Invasive Species Awareness Fair will be on the west side of the park, across the pedestrian bridge.

Report invasive species

The City’s Invasive Species Management Plan and Implementation Strategy guides the management of priority invasive species in priority natural areas across Mississauga.

If you spot an invasive plant species on City property like a park, trail or boulevard, you can report it using the invasive species reporting form. If you spot spongy moth in Mississauga, you can report it using the online reporting form.

Learn more about the Invasive Species Awareness Fair.

Tags

• Parks and Forestry