Cities like San José, CA are moving away from modern methods to keep grass down and going back to traditional methods like grazing sheep and goats.
"It is the year of weed-snackers rather than weed-whackers. As a way of controlling invasive vegetation and renewing the land, the ancient idea of using sheep and goats is finding renewed favor. In Northern California alone, at least 10 companies compete for the business."
Living Systems Land Management of San Francisco is one of those firms, and a supplier to the City of San José.
"A spokeswoman for Living Systems, Charlotte Lewis, who happens to be Jared's mother, says the company - which rents animals from farmers - used herds on 100 acres last year. This year, they expect the acreage to exceed 300.
Twenty-six of those acres belong to the Mineta San Jose International Airport. If you take De La Cruz Boulevard south from Highway 101, you can see the goats and sheep on the right. They're expected to be on the job until mid-June, chewing through a couple of acres a day. Total cost to the city: $11,700.
"It's a nice thing to brighten your morning to see a flock of sheep out there next to a piece of radar equipment," said airport spokesman David Vossbrink. "It's a reminder that you don't have to have the latest technology to solve a problem.""
FULL STORY: Sheep, goats get down to grass tacks
Fossil Fuel-Based Artificial Turf Raises Concerns
Cities and states are rolling back support for artificial turf, which can leach chemicals and microplastics into groundwater.
Nevada to Host National Outdoor Recreation Conference
In May 2024, the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals will hold its national conference in Stateline, Nevada, offering opportunities to learn and network in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe.
Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023
The world is changing, and planning with it.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
