The San Marcos Foothills Preserve between Santa Barbara and Goleta is a rare gem - a protected native grassland with spectacular panoramic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, and across to the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by increasingly developed urban landscape.
The views are enjoyed by hikers, the natural wildlife and some temporary residents…grazing sheep.
"The main objective of the grazing program is to restore the grasslands for ground-nesting birds that are disappearing at a great rate," explained Ken Owen, Executive Director of the non-profit group Channel Islands Restoration.
Owen said that as well as supporting sustainable habitats for native species, the sheep grazing program also helps reduce wildfire risk.
Part of the land was nearly developed for eight luxury homes, but was saved after hundreds of members of the community came together to preserve the area.
"It's an open space that is 200 acres. We are also standing at the entrance to the West Mesa of the SM foothills, and that is 101 acres property that Channel Islands Restoration partnered with a bunch of folks in the community to save from development last year."
He continued, "So very soon the property that was saved from development will be added to the San Marcos Foothills Preserve, which is right next door, to make a 301 acre nature preserve."
Owen said, "It's one of the last remaining native grasslands in Santa Barbara - there's a lot of wildlife here in the San Marcos Foothills, a lot of the birds are dependent on grasslands.
"Prescribed grazing is really useful in a way to heal the grassland and hopefully attract back the birds," he told KCLU.
The sheep are brought here by shepherd Jack Anderson of Cuyama Lamb LLC.
"We bring the sheep in to perform specific functions," said Anderson.
He said he thinks that the sheep enjoy their work.
"I think for many thousands of years that's how sheep have operated with humans," he said.
He added, "These sheep get to enjoy some of the best views in the county on an $18 million property."
It’s not the only place on the Central and South Coasts to utilize the grazing power of sheep. They have also grazed at Skofield Park in Santa Barbara and at Elings Park, and other locations.
