First Goats, Now Fire? Ridgewood Eyes Radical NYC Tactics for Twinney Pond

From Goats to Grassfires? Ridgewood Debates Radical New Ways to Save Twinney Pond

the staff of the Ridhewood blog

Ridhgewood NJ, In the quiet enclave of Ridgewood, NJ, a debate is blooming over how to handle the invasive species taking over Twinney Pond. While Councilperson Winograd recently made headlines by suggesting the Village hire a “goat brigade”—a method famously used by the New York City Department of Parks—residents are now looking across the Hudson and asking: What comes next?

With NYC Parks now pivoting toward controlled burns (prescribed fires) to manage their massive green spaces, many are wondering if Ridgewood is ready for a more “fiery” approach to conservation.

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The NYC Blueprint: Why Fire is the New Tool

Historically, urban centers like New York City have focused on fire suppression—putting fires out immediately. however, the record-breaking dry spells and devastating brush fires of 2024 and 2025 (including the Jennings Creek Wildfire) have forced a strategy shift toward active prevention.

If Ridgewood follows the NYC model, here is what the experts are weighing:

The Advantages: Why Burn?

• Invasive Species “Reset”: Fire weakens persistent invaders like Phragmites and Mugwort, allowing native plants to reclaim the pond’s edge.

• Wildfire Prevention: By safely burning “fuel” (dead leaves and underbrush) in a controlled way, you prevent a catastrophic, out-of-control fire during a drought.

• Boosted Biodiversity: Native Oaks and Hickories thrive after a fire clears the forest floor, letting sunlight reach dormant seeds.

• Cost-Efficiency: Managing a small, planned fire is significantly cheaper than the millions spent on emergency responses for unplanned blazes.

The Disadvantages: The Risks of the Flame

• Air Quality Issues: In a dense suburb like Ridgewood, smoke can be a major health concern for residents with asthma or respiratory issues.

• The “Escape” Factor: Even under expert watch, a sudden wind shift can push a controlled fire toward homes or power lines.

• Public Alarm: Sightings of smoke at Twinney Pond would likely trigger a surge of 911 calls and local anxiety.

• Liability: The legal and insurance hurdles for a municipality to intentionally set fire to public land are immense.

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The 2026 Context: A Drier Reality

As of March 2026, the conversation has changed. With the statewide residential burn ban approaching (March 16 – May 14), communities are looking for windows of opportunity to protect their natural habitats.

Whether Ridgewood sticks to goats—the low-risk, crowd-pleasing option—or eventually considers the prescribed burns being tested in NYC, one thing is clear: the management of our local ecosystems is becoming more complex as the climate shifts.

Is Twinney Pond ready for a “controlled burn,” or should we stick to the goats?

file photo by Boyd Loving

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#RidgewoodNJ #TwinneyPond #EnvironmentalNews #NYCParks #ControlledBurn #GoatGrazing #NJConservation #PublicSafety #InvasiveSpecies