Santaluz’s 2025 Goat and Sheep Grazing Adventure: Eco-Friendly Fun

Santaluz residents, get ready for a woolly good time! The Good Shepherds are back for the 2025 grazing season, starting mid-May at Run of the Knolls, bringing 500 adorable goats and sheep to keep our community safe and green. This exclusive event for residents and their guests, organized by Santaluz SMA, is a fun, family-friendly way to enjoy nature and learn about eco-friendly land management. A big thank you to Santaluz SMA for making this happen! Here’s everything you need to know about this baa-ffling adventure.

Meet the Eco-Superheroes: Good Shepherds’ Goats and Sheep

Led by young nomadic shepherds, Good Shepherds is an unincorporated group dedicated to regenerative land management. Their herd of 500 goats and sheep, protected by livestock guardian dogs (Bear and Diamond, the Great Pyrenees stars!) and guided by border collies, munches through dry grass and brush to reduce wildfire risks in Santaluz’s Wild Urban Interface. This practice, called Prescribed Herbivory, is one of California’s top five wildfire prevention methods, recognized by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. It also improves soil health, reduces erosion, and supports native plants—all while creating a fun spectacle for kids and families!

Why This Matters for Santaluz

The herd consumes about 1,200–1,400 pounds of fire-prone vegetation daily, turning it into natural compost that feeds the soil. Last season, Good Shepherds’ smaller herd cleared 156,000 pounds of fuel across 100 acres in Santaluz! By thinning brush and trampling vegetation, the goats (who love to browse) and sheep (expert mowers) lower flame heights, making firefighting safer and protecting our homes. Plus, their work could help lower homeowner insurance premiums—consider mentioning this to your provider!

2025 Grazing Schedule: Where to Spot the Herd

The herd will graze from mid-May to late July 2025, moving through Santaluz’s brush management zones. Here’s the lineup:

• Mid to Late May: Run of the Knolls (SDCWA) – The season kicks off!
• Late May to Early June: Doug Hill (East of Caminito Santaluz Sur) – Perfect for a picnic.
• Early June: Caminito Santaluz Sur slope – Great for kids to watch.
• Mid-June: South Side of Caminito Santaluz Sur/Lazanja Pass – Evening strolls.
• Mid to Late June: Purple Sage Slope – Scenic and fun.
• Late June: Garden Trail – A nature lover’s spot.
• Late June to Early July: Between Northern Lights and Iluminado – Cozy vibes.
• Early to Mid-July: Between Iluminado and Northern Lights – More furry action.
• Mid to Late July: Montien/San Dieguito Road – The grand finale!

Note: Dates may change. Check Good Shepherds’ website for updates.

Fun for Kids and Families

This resident-only event is a blast for kids and guests! Try these activities:

• Herd Hunt: Have kids count goats vs. sheep or name their favorite animal.
• Learn Cool Facts: Ask the shepherds about the herd’s eco-mission or the guardian dogs’ jobs.
• Photo Ops: Snap pics with the herd in the background and share with #SantaluzGrazing2025.
• Nature Walks: Bring snacks and explore Santaluz’s trails while watching the herd.

How Residents Can Help

Good Shepherds’ team lives onsite 24/7, tending to the herd’s needs. To make this season a success, they need our cooperation:

For Homeowners Near Grazing Zones

• Protect Your Yard: Trim plants and trees 6 feet above fences to keep the herd from nibbling. If this isn’t possible, email connect@goodshepherds.earth with “BACKYARD FENCE” in the subject, including your address.
• Secure Fences: Reinforce snake fencing with bolts or metal wires (zip ties break easily). Check for weak spots to keep the herd out.
• If the Herd Gets In: Clap loudly to shoo them away and call Good Shepherds. They’ll clean up if animals escape but can’t replace damaged plants, so prevention is key!

For All Residents and Guests

• Stay Safe: Don’t touch electric netting (it’s low-amperage but zappy). Keep pacemakers, e-bikes, or electronics away from fences.
• Respect Trails: Don’t cross electric netting on trails—take another route.
• Don’t Feed Animals: Feeding the herd or dogs can make them sick or encourage escapes. The livestock guardian dogs (Bear and Diamond) are well-fed and watered.
• Keep Pets Away: Leash dogs and keep them away from paddocks, as the guardian dogs see them as predators.
• Report Issues: If animals escape or fences are down, call Good Shepherds at 858-522-0402 (24/7).

Emergency Contacts

For herd-related emergencies:

• Good Shepherds: 858-522-0402
• Santaluz North Gate: 858-759-2644

Thank You, Santaluz SMA!

We’re so grateful to Santaluz SMA for partnering with Good Shepherds to bring this eco-friendly event to our community. It’s about more than fire safety—it’s about creating joyful memories for kids, teaching them about nature, and strengthening our neighborhood. Santaluz SMA, you’re amazing!

Make This Summer Un-fur-gettable!

This exclusive, free event is packed with fun, learning, and eco-pride for Santaluz residents and their guests. Follow Good Shepherds on Instagram (@wearegoodshepherds) for a peek into their work.