Amanda McManus

Wannabe adventurist, quantum physicist, neuroscientist, naturalist, shaman, astrologist, astronomer, astronaut, programmer, book writer. AKA always curious.

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

California authorities have enlisted approximately 400 goats and sheep to graze on invasive vegetation as part of a wildfire prevention effort.

The animals are clearing roughly 180 acres in northeast Fresno during an eight-week habitat restoration initiative focused on dense brush and yellow star thistle.

Yellow star thistle, an invasive species, features sharp, spiny blooms that displace native plants and create abundant dry fuel during the state's peak fire season. Thick infestations accelerate fire spread, diminish forage for wildlife, and limit habitat for pollinators.

Goats and sheep prove particularly effective because they readily consume plants that other grazers typically avoid. They also target seed heads, which helps curb future weed growth.

Compared to mechanical mowing or chemical herbicides, this targeted grazing approach navigates challenging terrain more easily, requires less heavy equipment, and causes minimal soil disruption. The animals naturally fertilize the ground with their manure, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Following the reduction of invasive species, officials intend to replant the area with native grasses, shrubs, and trees.

The initiative is underway near Woodward Park, where vegetation management could safeguard surrounding neighborhoods, recreational areas, and wildlife habitats from rapid wildfire spread.

Communities throughout the western United States increasingly rely on goats for similar wildfire mitigation strategies. While these animals cannot prevent all fires, they effectively decrease available dry fuel, which may slow fire progression and provide firefighters with additional response time.

[Amanda McManus @mnloon]

I loved those circles...there were 8 of them... 😳🧐🍿

[Acyn @Acyn]

Trump: These things were coming cylinders, no wings, no nothing, and they're coming down very slowly, landing on a raft in the middle of the ocean someplace with a circle, reminded me of the Biden circles that he used to have.. then I heard we lost

[The Figen @TheFigen_]

He needs sauce. 😂

[Buitengebieden @buitengebieden]

Good scratch.. 😅

[Amanda McManus @mnloon]

@AMAZlNGNATURE Yes! We had one play with a big ball in our back yard

[Amanda McManus @mnloon]

Woot woot! Progress...
Walmart and General Mills team up on remarkable project using 600,000 acres of farmland — #regenerativeag <https://t.co/whNh2dPXQX>

[The Twins Almanac @TwinsAlmanac]

The spontaneous homecoming reception the American League Champion #MNTwins received from 50,000 fans at the Metrodome 36 years ago tonight is one of the coolest moments in professional sports history.

[Amanda McManus @mnloon]

@DogLovers03 Yes

[Nature is Amazing ☘️ @AMAZlNGNATURE]

This has to be the greatest squirrel feeder ever!

[The Figen @TheFigen_]

The dinosaurs are still here among us.

https://t.co/na5utGz1FU

[Amanda McManus @mnloon]

Just imagine how society would change if there were more shows like Ted Lasso 🤔🧐🤓 @jasonsudeikis #TedLasso

[The Figen @TheFigen_]

Newborn baby's reaction to his mother's first kiss. 💕

[Best Of Minnesota @BestPixMN]

Duluth back in 1870.

Photo from the Minnesota Historic Society.

[The Figen @TheFigen_]

The most elegant dive. 💕😂

[Colin McCarthy @US_Stormwatch]

The Northern Hemisphere's oceans and seas have never been this hot in modern history.

The North Atlantic just reached its highest temperature in recorded history just 2 days after the Mediterranean Sea reached its highest temperature in recorded history.

[Amanda McManus @mnloon]

@ClimateBen

[Good News Dog @goodnewsdog]

Gas station tells customers that they can save money by doing a silly dance when they walk in 🕺