To manage the rare landscape sustainably around the railway at Folkestone Warren between Folkestone and Dover in Kent, Network Rail has hired some unusual staff.

The new employees have hooves instead of hard hats.

Through an agreement with the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, Network Rail has hired a herd (or “trip”) of goats to help restore the chalk grassland near – but not on – tracks at Folkestone Warren.

Folkestone Warren is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and local nature reserve, which is managed by the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership on behalf of Network Rail.

The landscape next to the railway is a rare chalk grassland habitat that supports a variety of unusual species of plants and animals, many of which such as chalk eyebright need open ground to thrive.

Until recently, the only way to cut back encroaching brambles and scrubs was to use brush cutters. That is still a crucial part of managing the landscape in the area, but a herd of Boer goats has been hired to join an existing herd of cows to graze parts that aren’t easily accessible to staff and volunteers.

Funding for the hire of the goats came from Network Rail’s Green Fund, which invests in environmental and social sustainability projects in the Southern region that will result in reduced carbon, improved biodiversity, and increased social value.

Network Rail team arranged for the goats to access the landscape on a carefully marked out route, and to stop them from getting onto the railway, the line is securely fenced off throughout the site.

To keep the goats away from the trains and the electrified conductor rail, it isn’t feasible for the conservation grazing to extend to the lineside.

Network Rail is also working with the Zoological Society of London to find out what species of wildlife are living along railway lines, and when cutting back vegetation that is too close to the line Network Rail arborists work to enable wildlife to thrive at a safe distance from the line.

“We’re delighted to welcome our goats to this Nature Reserve. Historically, Folkestone Warren was a much more open landscape, with a mixture of chalk grassland, scrub and woodland and we’re hoping the goats will help restore some of this diversity and encourage some of the rare species that occur at the Warren to colonise new areas. We know that diverse habitats are much more resilient, so the goats should help the Warren’s wildlife adapt to the challenge of a warming climate.”

Steff D’Agorne from the White Cliffs Countryside Project