Four-Legged Fire Prevention
Not only are they cuter and quieter than other methods of vegetation management, sheep and goat grazing provides significant benefits to the land and the community. In addition to restoring the grassland to a more natural state, grazing has a demonstrable effect on fire safety.
Prescription grazing is the application of livestock grazing at a specified season, short duration, and high intensity to accomplish specific vegetation management goals. Controlled grazing of this type is being employed throughout California on public and private land and is proving to be a promising tool in reducing the fire fuels and unwanted, excessive vegetation.
The sheep and goats benefit the native grasslands and time the impact to positively benefit the native bunch grasses and negatively impact the annual highly flammable invasive plants that crowd out these ecosystems such as black mustard, brome grasses, and thistles. The sheep also remove the buildup of dead vegetation which makes room for more biodiversity of wildflower species, the spread of native bunchgrass seed, and reducing the intensity of wildfire.
Project Implementation
The SBCFSC is excited to share we are heading into the implementation phase for the Herbivory Project this year, part of the project implementation includes the execution of a CalVTP Project Specific Analysis, this provides the framework for ensuring project goals are achieved while also being mindful of the environmental impacts and protections that must be adhered to. If you are interested in learning more please click the link below to access the CalVTP Project Specific Analysis documents.
PSA Public Access
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the grazing program, please contact our Project Manager Jessie Tobin at jtobin@sbfiresafecouncil.org
Funding for this project was provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program.