Ian Matthews, founder and Eco-Shepherd of Goats in the City, with the Eco-Herd.
Photography by Matt Forsythe, on behalf of City of Toronto
Goats in the City shares practical knowledge and field experience in prescribed grazing, invasive species management and ecological restoration with professionals working in forestry, conservation and sustainable land management.
In 2024, founder and Eco-Shepherd Ian Matthews was invited to present at two significant professional gatherings, beginning with his first public speaking engagement at the Canadian Wildlife Federation's 6th Annual Rights-of-Way Workshop, followed by a keynote address at the 48th Annual Ontario Forest Health Review.
These opportunities provided a platform to share firsthand experience from prescribed grazing projects and introduce industry professionals to the practical applications of goats in ecological restoration.
Canadian Wildlife Federation
6th Annual Rights-of-Way Workshop
Sustainable Prescribed Grazing for Ecological Restoration: Goats in the City
Ian Matthews' first public speaking engagement- Date
- September 18, 2024
- Location
- Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario
- Organizer
- Canadian Wildlife Federation
- Role
- Invited Lightning Talk Presenter
On September 18, 2024, Goats in the City founder Ian Matthews delivered his first public presentation at the Canadian Wildlife Federation's 6th Annual Rights-of-Way Workshop.
The workshop brought together professionals involved in vegetation management, transportation and utility corridors, biodiversity conservation and pollinator habitat restoration.
Ian shared his experience implementing prescribed grazing at Toronto's Don Valley Brick Works Park, demonstrating how careful management of goat browsing behaviour can help control invasive buckthorn while protecting native milkweed and supporting meadow restoration.
His presentation also examined the practical advantages of prescribed grazing, the importance of experienced Eco-Shepherd supervision, and the role goats can play in public education and community engagement.
Photography credit pending confirmation
Photography credit pending confirmation
Ontario Forest Health Review
48th Annual Ontario Forest Health Review
- Date
- October 23, 2024
- Location
- Barrie, Ontario
- Role
- Selected Keynote Speaker
- Presentation slot
- 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., including questions
On October 23, 2024, Goats in the City was selected to deliver the keynote address at the 48th Annual Ontario Forest Health Review in Barrie, Ontario.
The invitation recognized an opportunity to share the company's practical experience in prescribed grazing and invasive vegetation management with professionals working in forest health, environmental conservation and ecological restoration.
Ian's presentation focused on the application of prescribed grazing to vegetation suppression and invasive species management, including project implementation, selective grazing techniques and before-and-after observations of managed landscapes.
The presentation offered a field-based perspective on the potential role of goats as part of sustainable vegetation management strategies.
Photography by Matt Forsythe, on behalf of City of Toronto
Photography by Matt Forsythe, on behalf of City of Toronto
Project photographs illustrating the work discussed. Not taken at the Ontario Forest Health Review.
Ongoing
Continuing Industry Engagement
Since his 2024 presentations, Ian Matthews has continued receiving invitations to attend both the Canadian Wildlife Federation's annual Rights-of-Way Workshop and the Ontario Forest Health Review.
These gatherings provide opportunities to exchange knowledge, maintain professional relationships and stay connected with developments in invasive species management, pollinator habitat restoration, forestry and sustainable land management.
As Goats in the City continues expanding its field operations, these professional networks remain valuable connections between practical prescribed grazing experience and the broader conservation community.
Related Coverage
In August 2025, the Canadian Wildlife Federation published a feature documenting observations from Goats in the City's prescribed grazing work at Don Valley Brick Works.