Herds of Sheep Manage Vegetation Where Powered Mowers Can’t

More cities are using sheep to trim vegetation, replacing lawnmowers with a whimsical and eco-friendly option, reports Kristin M. Hall for the Associated Press

Urban communities around the country are discovering the benefits of using livestock for prescribed grazing to manage invasive species, reduce fire risk, protect sensitive sites, and access difficult terrain.

In Nashville, a group dubbed the “Chew Crew” has been maintaining landscaping using sheep at a Civil War-era historic site since 2017. Today, sheep grave roughly 150 acres of city property, including in the Nashville City Cemetery. Chew Crew’s owner says the sheep are easier to manage than goats, which are more likely to climb and escape.

But sheep aren’t a silver bullet solution. They need to move regularly to prevent predator attacks and provide a varied diet, and herds of sheep can spread invasive seeds. Santa Barbara conducts environmental surveys before hiring sheep herds for grazing to ensure they won’t have a negative impact on local bird habitats and nesting sites.