Grazing used as a natural vegetation management approach at Great River Energy’s Elk River facility
Nearly 300 sheep were at Great River Energy’s Elk River campus this month as part of an innovative and eco-friendly vegetation management strategy to graze around the site’s pollinator habitat.
Instead of using mowers or herbicides, Great River Energy partnered with Minnesota Native Landscapes to bring in the fluffy lawnmowers, who munched their way through weeds and grass around the site’s thriving pollinator habitat, all while naturally fertilizing the soil and trimming emissions.
Border collies assisted with loading and unloading the 277 sheep, including a few puppies in training. A temporary electric fence was installed to contain the sheep to the pollinator habitat.
“Grazing is a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly way to manage vegetation,” said Great River Energy’s Byron Johnson, supervising manager, vegetation management. “It was exciting to see them out there.”
Great River Energy’s pollinator team helped secure this natural vegetation management method that supports ecological goals, promotes soil health and proves that sometimes the best tools for the job come with four legs and a wool coat.
Pollinator Strong
Over nearly two decades, Great River Energy has restored more than 300 acres of native and pollinator habitat at the cooperative’s facilities and along transmission lines. This is just one example of Great River Energy’s commitment to sustainability.
In 2023, Great River Energy announced a new initiative called Pollinator Strong, doubling its commitment to pollinator-friendly habitat restoration. Great River Energy has committed to plant and restore an additional 300 acres of pollinator habitat across current and future eligible sites. This pledge reiterates the cooperative’s commitment to being good stewards of the environment while providing reliable energy to members.
Anytime Great River Energy needs ground cover at one of its facilities or on the electric system, it considers planting pollinator habitat. These pollinator projects support Great River Energy’s commitment to the environment, investing in Minnesota communities and finding innovative solutions to manage costs.
Pollineighbor Party
Great River Energy also spread the word about its commitment to pollinators by participating in member-owner cooperative East Central Energy’s Pollineighbor Party in Princeton on June 14.
The free event is held during National Pollinator Week and includes activities for the whole family, including wagon rides, live music, farm animals, rock painting and more — plus acres of wildflowers and honey hives.
Great River Energy was there with a Pollinator Strong table, hosting an educational, pollinator-themed scavenger hunt and sharing Pollinator Strong giveaways.