Pick a Shift That Works For You!
We need volunteers to sign up for shifts at the Foothills.
Morning shift
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Mid-Day shift
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Afternoon shift
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
We Need Sheep Docents To Educate The Community
We need volunteers until September 15th to help us communicate information about the sheep and the grazing project to any curious hikers. No previous experience is required, and we will provide information regarding frequently asked questions.
Volunteers will sit in a stationary spot along the trail near the sheep grazing. Feel free to bring a comfy camp chair, a book, binoculars, water, and anything else you would like with you while relaxing in the beauty of the San Marcos Foothills Preserve.
The Importance of Prescribed Sheep Grazing
Channel Islands Restoration (CIR) is conducting carefully designed prescribed sheep grazing to restore the native grassland on this site.
Native grasslands inhabited millions of acres of California, providing nesting opportunities for birds such as grasshopper sparrows and burrowing owls. Now, very little is left. One place where native grassland remains is here on the San Marcos Foothills, where it is dominated by purple needlegrass (the tall bunch grass you see on this mesa). However, it is threatened by invasive grasses from Europe, such as wild oats and brome.
Although uncontrolled grazing has damaged many regions, carefully designed and timed grazing programs support the growth of native plants and reduce the number of nonnative grasses.
Also, grazing has an important effect on fire safety. CIR started a grazing program in 2018 on the nearby Preserve. In November 2018, the Cave Fire burned the area and was extinguished at the Preserve. County Fire Chief Rob Hazard credits CIR’s grazing program with saving the neighborhoods around San Marcos Foothills. In a letter to CIR, Chief Hazzard wrote:
“By all accounts, most firefighters were convinced the fire would burn into the developed neighborhoods in the North La Cumbre area, which had the potential to result in significant structural loss. This did not happen, no structures were lost, and the primary reason was the buffer provided by the grazed areas in the preserve.”
Photograph of the Cave Fire by Paul Wellman - In November 2018, the Cave Fire burned the area and was extinguished at the Preserve. County Fire Chief Rob Hazard credits CIR’s grazing program with saving the neighborhoods around San Marcos Foothills.
Visual Effects of Grazing at the Foothills
Left: Green foliage consists of mostly non-native grasses on the Foothills.
Right: Native bunch grasses appear on the Foothills after non-native grasses have been removed.
Best Management Practices to Reduce Negative Impacts
Rotation: optimize grazing based on pertinent factors and objective
Exclusion: enclose stock, exclude from sensitive areas and resources
Monitoring: ensure grazing is proceeding as planned, monitor effects
Ongoing Research: of ecological grazing happening locally/regionally
Additional Information About Our Grazing Program
If you have any questions during business hours (8am-5pm) you may contact Natasha Booth at (805) 448-6203. If you need help out of business hours, you may contact Ken Owen at (805) 448-5726.
If you get lost or have questions, call Alex Graham (805) 881-1069.
Funding for this program is provided by Channel Islands Restoration and donations from neighbors and other supporters. More community support is vitally needed for this program. Please donate at cirweb.org/donate
When You Volunteer With Us Please Remember:
Wear long, sturdy pants for comfort and safety
Wear a long sleeve shirt for protection
Bring sunscreen and a sunhat
Wear hiking shoes or boots for safety. No flip-flops or sandals allowed
Bring plenty of water and snacks for the day
Make sure to sign all required waivers before arrival
Have Photos From Your Volunteer Day?
Tag @channelislandsrestoration on Instagram.
Or send your photos to volunteer@cirweb.org for a feature.
CIR wishes to acknowledge that the land upon which our restoration work is completed is the unceded territory of the Chumash people. We pay our respects to the Chumash Elders past, present, and future, for they hold the memories, traditions, and culture of this land we work to protect.