Fact Sheets - Canada Goose Community Management

Many Pennsylvania communities support large and increasing populations of “resident” Canada geese. An abundance of lush manicured lawns, landscaped water bodies, and food handouts from people, along with a relative lack of predators and hunters, has contributed to the rapid growth of goose populations in urban and suburban areas around the Commonwealth. Geese are extraordinarily adaptable to human presence and altered landscapes. They nest on rooftops and in parking lots, roadway medians, doorsteps, planters, and other structures near homes, businesses, hospitals, and schools. Canada geese are a valuable component of the urban and suburban environment, and their presence provides many Pennsylvanians with enjoyable wildlife viewing opportunities. However, growing numbers of resident geese also mean more conflicts with human interests. Many times, a large goose population raises concerns about risks to human health and safety and also damage to residential, commercial, and public property. Common concerns include reduced water quality and general health risks due to excessive concentrations of fecal material, injury to people due to aggressive behavior of nesting geese, and damage to landscape plantings and turf grass from overgrazing geese. Furthermore, a large, yearround population of grazing and defecating geese can seriously impede the public’s ability to enjoy properties such as parks, beaches, golf courses, and school yards for their intended use. Resident Canada geese tend to be very mobile and move frequently among properties, which can create widespread damage. Many property owners conduct goose control activities solely within their property boundaries and are able to effectively alleviate damage. However, sometimes this approach may only displace the problem temporarily. Greater success can be achieved by managing widespread goose damage collaboratively on a large scale or community level.

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