A documentary film celebrating a new way to mitigate forest fires, using goats
Managing the risk of forest fires is vital for many communities, such as this one in Daylesford, Australia. But the usual tactics, such as using herbicides, heavy machinery, and burn-offs to curtail the spread of fire-prone vegetation can be damaging in and of themselves. Burn-offs keep the township safe from out-of-control fires, but they hinder the forest habitat’s ability to regenerate and they can’t provide the environment necessary for forest biodiversity.
This film tells the story of a small group of volunteers, working to prevent forest fires in an entirely different way – using goats and hand tools to restore forest habitat The work being done by the Goathand Co-operative is helping to regenerate the forest floor while also having broader effects: woodland animals and forest plants are thriving, and the goats are healthy and happy. While some neighbours were dubious about the project, the film reveals that they have come on board, forming new and strong community connections.
This film has been entered in the MPB Geographical Better World Video Awards. See all the entries and the winners.
