2008 Grazing Season

You may have guessed that our goats aren't actually in the snow anymore.  They have been busy for some time now!  The season started ahead of expectations with grazing at Neary Lagoon and Pogonip in Santa Cruz.  From there we headed to Palo Alto's Foothills Park and Pearson-Arastradero Preserve to work along-side the folks from Acterra's Arastadero Preserve Stewardship Project.  We're on the road again soon and will keep you informed of our seasonal migration with stories and photos on our upcoming blog page.

Living Systems has distinguished itself for its innovative approach to land management (TrainedHerds), and through a commitment to community and environment.  We are engaged in business that is environmentally and socially responsible, and that approaches land management holistically.  Our work in the area of fire mitigation focuses on ecological fuel management in Urban/Wildland Intermix areas.  In addition, we facilitate habitat restoration in both riparian and other biologically sensitive areas and vegetation management of noxious and invasive weed species, including yellow star thistle, cape ivy, poison hemlock, French and Scotch Broom.

Goats and grazing animals have been used for countless years as land management tools and are a popular alternative to the land management conventions of mowing, disking, and burning.  Managed Grazing takes into account multiple levels of ecology and environment including: vegetation types, soil types, watershed functions, plant recovery mechanisms, nutrient flow and energy cycling.  All can be managed, monitored and improved with proper management procedures.

Management Standards

"To manage projects most effectively and sustainably requires extensive knowledge of the interaction between plant and animal, between animal and soil, knowledge of local ecosystems...it means committing yourself to understanding the Living System and all its interactions-- before you or one of your goats sets foot in a new environment." Jared Lewis, Founder Living Systems.