Restoring overgrown sites is far from a simple or quick process, despite how it might seem at first glance. Typically, the first practical step involves thorough clearing of the area—removing invasive or non-native trees and shrubs, clearing biomass, and often stump milling. In some locations, we also use an earth milling machine on a limited scale. This is followed by the installation of fencing and other necessary infrastructure, such as shelters and water feeders. It’s often physically and logistically demanding work, but it’s essential to allow these pastures to once again become living spaces for both grazing and biodiversity.
Where possible, we also apply an alternative approach: we clear only narrow corridors for fencing and immediately introduce animals to the site. Goats enter the thickets and begin to tackle the bushes. The rest of the area is cleared gradually, depending on how well the animals manage the vegetation. The exact method is always adapted to the specific conditions of the site, taking into account time, budget, staff capacity, and the availability of suitable livestock.
Dolné Lazy – donkeys are suitable grazers on dry sites. If complemented by goats and sheep, this is an ideal combination.
If there is a trusted cattle farmer in the vicinity of the area of interest, we will be happy to collaborate with him to start restoring grazing – although goats are usually more suitable for this purpose, especially in the early stages. We then remove the woody regrowth and ungrazed vegetation with a brush cutter, mulcher or a milling machine as needed. Many woody plants such as hawthorn, hogweed, brambles and rose hips do not give up easily, so it is important to start grazing as soon as possible after the initial clearing. Shrubs are a favourite food not only for goats, but also for donkeys and some breeds of cows, which can cope with them just as well. Elsewhere, goats can be followed by sheep, cows, donkeys or horses – again depending on the particular circumstances and possibilities.
This is how the animals managed thegrazing of junipers at the Dolné Lazy site. There is ongoing forced grazing in the first years after massive bush removal.
Unlike conventional farming approaches, where production mixes are sown on cleared areas, we choose a more nature-friendly approach – leaving the area to regenerate from the soil bank and from seeds of native species that are brought to the site by wind and animals. Once the sites are cleared and grazing returns, a whole new life begins. The exposed soil becomes a habitat for a variety of species – thistles, mullein, as well as all sorts of woodland, meadow and field plants. The vegetation gradually changes, diversifies and stabilises. This creates a species-rich landscape that is a living concert of insects and birds. Biodiversity on these sites is significantly higher than on meadows mown at one time and, at best, dried for hay. Often, however, the material is merely wilted and packed in plastic packaging, where it becomes haylage without access to air.
Last year we started grazing goats and sheep on Drietoma ridge, this year they were replaced by cows of a local farmer.
Specific examples of grazing restoration can be seen, for example, in the Drietoma ridge and Dolné Lazy sites of European importance, where we have implemented this activity within the LIFE Endemic PANALP project. At the first site we started grazing our own goats and sheep last year, which this year were replaced by cows of a local farmer. On the second one we are grazing a mixed flock of sheep, goats and donkeys of a farmer from the neighbourhood. Thanks to these interventions, not only the diversity of life is returning to the landscape, but also traditional forms of farming and meaningful work for the people of the local areas.