Petaluma’s Grazing Program
In August of 2023, the City launched it's first citywide grazing program in our Petaluma parks. In partnership with Two Rock Land Management, the program will bring goats into some of our local parks to help reduce flammable vegetation that can feed wildfires and threaten the safety of our community.
Benefits of Grazing
Grazing on our hills and grasslands brings numerous benefits.
- Reduces wildfire risk: Goats chomp on grasses that otherwise are highly flammable. Traditional mowing leaves cuttings behind, which can catch fire easily. Goats keep the grass low and leave behind only manure, which enriches the soil and removes fuel for wildfires. In this way, grazing helps our open spaces become barriers to wildfire instead of hazards.
- Supports native plant species: Goats graze on grasses and invasive species alike, and when fast-growing invasive species are kept at bay, native plants have more opportunity to thrive.
- Keeps carbon out of the atmosphere: The alternative to natural grazing is human-powered mowing - which puts high levels of CO2 into the environment. Native grasses, when allowed to thrive, also hold carbon in their roots and in the soil better than invasive species, preventing that carbon from being released into the atmosphere.
Where to Find a Herd 2025
| Parks | Acres | Park Order | Approximate start date |
| Arroyo Park & Open Space | 9.2 | 1 | 4/7/2025 |
| Wiseman | 20.7 | 2 | 4/15/2025 |
| Rocky Memorial Dog Park | 21.1 | 2 | 4/23/2025 |
| Country Club | 4.7 | 3 | 5/14/2025 |
| Westridge Park & Open Space | 3.4 | 4 | 5/19/2025 |
| Westridge Knolls | 7 | 5 | 5/25/2025 |
| Paula Lane | 11 | 6 | 6/1/2025 |
| Mannion Knolls | 15.1 | 7 | 6/10/2025 |
| Oak Hill | 5.5 | 8 | 6/25/2025 |
| Airport | 8.5 | 9 | 6/30/2025 |
| Marina | 2.2 | 10 | 7/5/2025 |
| Steamer Landing | 9.7 | 11 | 7/7/2025 |
| River Park | 20 | 12 | 7/7/2025 |
| Fox Hollow + Riparian Zone | 24.8 | 13 | 7/27/2025 |
These dates are tentative and subject to change depending on how fast the flock gets through each park.
Please remember, if you see the sheep, try to keep a safe distance away. When the sheep are grazing, electric fences are in use to keep the sheep inside the grazing area. With their thick, wool coats, the sheep only recieve a small current if they wander into the fence. People, dogs, and other animals who do not have thick wool to protect them, could become injured if they come into contact with the fence. In addition, the sheep could become scared and end up charging the fence to escape any perceived threat.
For questions about the grazing program dates, please contact Daniel Northen at (707) 494-2095. For general inquiries, contact Parks & Recreation at (707) 778-4412 or email [email protected].
Photo courtesy of Two Rock Land Management.
"Sonoma County has gone through hell and back with recent wildland fires, and now, emergency preparedness and prevention has become a part of our daily lives. It may sound funny, but goats are some of the most effective partners we have at reducing fire load."
Senator Mike McGuire