Thank you for your interest in volunteering as a sheep docent!
This webpage was created to provide information for docents or those interested in being docents.
A couple of things to note about your shift:
Please review the map below to see the location of the sheep.
The southern parking lot is significantly closer to the sheep grazing area.
The administrative office is open on weekdays from 7 AM to 5 PM if you have questions. They can be reached at (805) 569-5611.
Your responsibilities as a docent are simply to say hello and answer any basic questions people may have.
Luckily, It is not your responsibility to enforce any rules.
The fence that is keeping the sheep in their pasture is electrified so be careful of that.
Among the sheep are one or two Great Pyrenees guard dogs. They are not attack dogs, they are just trained to bark and intimidate any would-be predators, and they calm down very soon after you initially arrive. All the same, please do not attempt to pet them.
For more information about the sheep grazing project at Elings Park, please click here.
For a PDF guide to answering frequently asked questions, please click here.
(Please note that the FAQ is still relevant to the San Marcos Foothills. We’re working on adapting this to Elings Park, but it is still generally relevant to sheep grazing).
Contact Tanner at tanner@cirweb.org for any questions before your volunteer time.
Call the CIR office at (805) 448-6203 or (805) 448-5726 (non business hours) if you need assistance day-of.
The Elings Park administrative office is open on weekdays from 7 AM to 5 PM and can be reached at (805) 569-5611.
Thanks again!
Directions to Elings Park (1298 Las Positas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103):
Apple Maps
Google Maps
From the 101 North or South, exit for Las Positas.
Turn south, towards the ocean.
Turn left up Jerry Harwin Parkway
Park at the parking lot near the top of the hill (but not at the very top lot which is after a steep windy road).
This is the administrative office. There is a bathroom next to the office should you need it.
Click the image to enlarge.