Petaluma River Park Welcomes Eco-Friendly Grazing with the Arrival of Sheep
Photo courtesy of Two Rock Land Management
Petaluma River Park is proud to announce that sheep grazing is taking place at the park. Building upon the success of the City of Petaluma’s citywide grazing program launched in August 2023 with Two Rock Land Management, we are excited to join the initiative to enhance Petaluma River Park's commitment to environmentally conscious practices.
The decision to introduce grazing into the River Park's ecosystem stems from an understanding of the benefits of targeted grazing as a natural, eco-friendly vegetation management solution. By leveraging sheep's natural grazing behaviors, the program aims to maintain optimal vegetation levels while reducing the risk of fire hazards in the area.
Why Grazing?
Grazing has long been recognized as a sustainable method for managing vegetation, offering a host of benefits for both the environment and the community including:
Ecological Preservation: Grazing promotes biodiversity and soil health by mimicking natural grazing patterns observed in wild ecosystems. Through targeted grazing, sheep help maintain a balanced ecosystem while minimizing the need for chemical or mechanical interventions.
Fire Prevention: By effectively reducing fine fuels and vegetation density, grazing plays a crucial role in mitigating fire risks. With the recent challenges posed by wildfires in the region, the introduction of grazing serves as a proactive measure to enhance fire resilience and safeguard community safety.
How Grazing Works
The grazing process involves the controlled movement of sheep throughout designated areas of the park, where they selectively consume vegetation while promoting soil health through natural fertilization.
The sheep are currently enclosed within an electric fence, and you’ll see them moving through the park day by day. By carefully managing grazing intensity, duration, and timing, the sheep grazing will ensure optimal ecological outcomes while preserving the park's natural beauty.
Join Us at the river park!
As Petaluma River Park welcomes its temporary new friends, we invite community members to engage by visiting the park to witness these fluffy friends at work. The grazing program provides an opportunity for community members to connect with nature and participate in sustainable land management practices. We encourage you to observe and learn about the role of sheep in ecosystem maintenance. A Spanish-speaking shepherd is onsite to answer questions or you can call us at 707-277-1655.
