The Creation Care team of Bethlehem Lutheran in Brainerd recently completed a project to clean up about one acre of undeveloped church property overrun with buckthorn. This project was made possible through a micro-grant from the NE Synod EcoFaith network.

The solution to buckthorn? Furrier than you might have guessed.

After working with a Master Naturalist from the Minnesota Extension Service, Bethlehem's creation care team worked with Joe Ambrosia, owner of Brainerd Lakes Goats, to create a plan to remove the buckthorn. 

The goats were on the property from July 29 to August 19.

In addition to eating the buckthorn, the goats provided the opportunity to gather in community. The creation care team planned an event on Wednesday, August 3rd that included a potluck, outdoor worship, and goat petting. 

Bethlehem envisions that the property will provide a nature sanctuary for learning and education, opening other options such as a pollinator gardens, holding Sunday and Bible school learning events, and creating nature paths benefiting the local area including schools.

The creation care team plans further congregational engagement with the project, including God’s Work Our Hands Projects and help from Sunday school classes and adults in the site preparation, plantings, and planning process.

Way to go, goats, and way to go, Bethlehem!