Illinois — Four-legged reinforcements may be enlisted to help battle invasive buckthorn in Lake County forest preserves. The idea is in the formative stage, but forest district commissioners appear amenable to launching a pilot program to determine if grazing goats or sheep can help manage the pesky invaders. Buckthorn and other woody invasive species are considered among the greatest threats to natural areas across the region, and in Lake County comprise more than 52% of all trees, according to the Lake County Forest Preserve District. …“While grazing is not anticipated to fully replace herbicides or other invasive control practices, it could provide a potential alternative to accomplish objectives in a cost-effective manner,” according to information being presented this week to forest board committees. The pilot agreement likely would allow six to eight sheep or goats to graze on two or three acres of district land for up to four years.