Nicknamed the “Vege-lantes,” three goats — yes, goats — are part of a City of Sequim pilot program to manage vegetation on city property.

The City of Sequim Public Works Department will conduct the pilot project on property adjacent to the city shop on Second Avenue just south of Hemlock Street, on Thursday, Feb. 22, and Friday, Feb. 23.

The public is welcome to view the operation from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., but residents are advised to be prepared for muddy conditions and to dress for winter weather.

City staff are hoping to learn how much vegetation the goats can consume in a confined area within a designated time period.

“This information will be used to potentially develop a long-term program utilizing goats to help manage the vegetation around city storm water basins; the basins have steep slopes and are difficult for staff to navigate,” Ty Brown, City of Sequim operations manager, said in a press release last week.

The goats are on loan from Sue Hagener, City of Sequim Administrative Services Director.

The pilot program is also part of the City of Sequim’s participation in the Innovation Academy through the Alliance for Innovation. The nine-month program includes instruction on “how to develop innovative thinking with an organization and requires the development and testing of a program that embodies creative problem solving and delivery.”

Sequim’s 10-member team will present their project at the Transforming Local Government Conference in Tacoma on April 6.

Call the City’s Public Works Department at 360-683-4908 or email to tbrown@sequimwa.gov for more information.