Maintenance

How Natural Grazing Improves Land Management in California

A photo of sheep and goats behind a fence.

Imagine a vibrant, healthy landscape effortlessly maintained without hours of battling invasive plants. Are you hoping to transform your acres of unusable land into a lush oasis, teeming with native plants that support the surrounding ecosystem? Reclaiming this overgrown and unmanaged land can feel overwhelming despite your best efforts.

Fortunately, The Landscape Company, in partnership with Lost Emu Farms, has a solution that simplifies your landscaping challenges and enhances your property’s beauty and biodiversity. Continue reading to discover how natural grazing improves land management in California.

Transform Your Landscape With Sustainable Grazing Services

A photo of a herd of goats on a property with a livestock dog.

Photo by @lostemufarms

At Lost Emu Farms, grazing services embody a holistic approach to wildland management, prioritizing regeneration, sustainability, and harmony with nature. The herd of goats and sheep is ready to tackle land management goals, leaving a minimal footprint on the surrounding ecology and wildlife.

State-of-the-Art Grazing Practices

A photo of a livestock trailer, with a goat and two people next to it.

Photo by @lostemufarms

Services are tailored to meet the specific needs of your land, using a combination of goats and sheep for targeted grazing. This mobile service operates entirely on solar power, minimizing environmental impact while maximizing efficiency. Guardian dogs, trained to be friendly to both people and pets, accompany the grazers, roaming your property under the careful watch of a dedicated shepherd, ensuring optimal management day and night.

What Are the Benefits of Targeted Grazing?

Photo by @lostemufarms

The advantages of targeted grazing for your property in Santa Cruz County are manifold and far-reaching:

Fire Prevention:

The process of natural grazing helps decrease the buildup of dry, easily ignitable plant debris, which ultimately decreases the amount of fuel present on the land. Goats, specifically, excel at removing brush and low-lying vegetation in areas at high risk of fires. This grazing strategy reduces the intensity of potential wildfires and creates natural firebreaks that can slow the spread of flames, protecting your property.

Chemical-Free Weed Control:

Natural grazing is a sustainable option for managing land without using chemical herbicides. This method helps reduce pollution and safeguard water quality.

Restoration of Native Habitats:

Non-native invasive plant species seriously threaten California’s ecosystems, outcompeting native flora for resources and leading to a decline in biodiversity. Natural grazing, particularly with goats and sheep, effectively targets and reduces these invasive plants, allowing native species to flourish once more.

Accessibility and Efficiency:

Grazing animals can easily navigate steep slopes, dense brush, and rocky terrains that are challenging for machinery. Goats and sheep can access and clear vegetation in these difficult areas, ensuring comprehensive land management.

Soil Enrichment:

Grazing animals improve soil quality by aerating the ground and reducing compaction, allowing for better water infiltration. Their manure is a natural fertilizer, providing essential nutrients to enrich the soil. This process promotes the growth of native vegetation, leading to a stronger and more sustainable landscape. In California, where soil erosion and degradation are major concerns, natural grazing presents a practical solution for restoring soil health.

A Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

A photo of a natural grazing goat from Lost Emu Farms

Photo by @lostemufarms

Our mission at both The Landscape Company and Lost Emu Farms extends beyond mere land management; it’s about strengthening our relationships with the natural world and leaving a positive impact for generations to come. By partnering with Lost Emu Farms, our clients gain access to solutions that eliminate harmful practices, reduce environmental degradation, and foster trust in the symbiotic relationship between humans, animals, and the land.

Ready to transform your landscape with sustainable goat grazing? Contact The Landscape Company today to learn more about our partnership with Lost Emu Farms and schedule a consultation. Let’s work together to create a landscape that reflects your values and enhances your property.

Our Reviews

Scott Pierce

November 16, 2023

Phil, Laura, and the team at The Landscape Company are amazing! We have been working with them on landscaping a large hill in our backyard. They recommended prepping it for winter rains by installing a waddle system and laying down erosion control netting and straw. They noticed a storm system was arriving early so they prioritized the work and got everything installed before the rain arrived. Can't thank them enough!

Rosemary Sarka

October 4, 2023

I had a leak in an old irrigation system and a plumber told me they would need to dig up my yard and walkways. I was panicked and had no idea where to go for a solution. I cold-called 3 different companies and The Landscape Company was the only one that called me back on a timely basis. They came out early the next morning, and, despite my old system being a unicorn, fixed the leak promptly and gave me an idea of how my system could work. I continue to be so grateful for their prompt, professional, creative help.

Andres Flores

May 9, 2023

Paul, Efrain and Thomas were great partners for a new homeowner! They helped us understand what we needed and were very transparent about process, materials and costs associated. We had them come in for a full day to get everything back into shape and I couldn't be happy with how everything turned out. Looking forward to having them come by on a bi-weekly basis to keep things looking manicured and (more importantly) healthy.

Sarah Murphy

July 27, 2020

This is a company that strives on professionalism, attention to detail, and connecting to their customers. Phil takes pride in giving his customers the small mom and pop business feel , but has the team and business knowledge to support a large business operation. I love the fact that the business owner works directly with his clients. He provides custom packages for each of his clients if needed. His team is really friendly, trustworthy, and always arrives on time! Phil has a kind heart. He is a really great guy who cares about his customers. I honestly do not like being one in a million of customers in the corporate world. You feel like you are lost in the shuffle of things. I never felt this way when working with this company. Not only did I receive outstanding customer service, I got direct calls from the owner to check on how my services were going. now if that's not customer service I don't know what else is! I highly recommend The Landscape Company for your landscaping needs!

CRAIG Minshull

November 2, 2019

Professional, friendly and skilled service. Joinery work was excellent and all snags that were brought to their attention were fixed straight away with no issues. Definitely recommend.

Kristen Faris

December 4, 2018

Phil and his team did an amazing job on my front yard remodel. His team was a pleasure to work with, very tidy and friendly. They executed perfectly on our vision! I would highly recommend the Landscape Company.

ian jonson

June 3, 2018

The Landscape Company came to our rescue! Phil and the crew found a way to build an enormous gate to our backyard. TLC had clear communication through out the entire project, very professional people. Everyone was on time, cheerful, and cared just as much ( or more ) for our project. These people are into doing the job right, no shortcuts on quality or craftsmanship. What more can we say? If you have a project that you want done right, call The Landscape Company. Thank You All,

Anita Connor

December 14, 2017

With great enthusiasm I applaud the work product created by The Landscape Company, thanks to its owner, Phil Dundas, and his competent crew. My Santa Cruz Gardens front yard was transformed from 1,200 square feet of lifeless turf to a spectacular display of drought resistant plants, providing a variety of texture and color and accented with three new trees. The backyard was renovated with drought tolerant red fescue and perimeter plants as well as mulch. The experienced crew pruned existing fruit trees, created a flagstone pathway, restored a cracked sidewalk, installed a drip irrigation system, reinforced a retaining wall, and corrected an eroded sided yard with a French drain and river rock. I recommend The Landscape Company because of the owner’s prompt response, accurate estimates, flexibility with plant selection and budget, sense of aesthetics, knowledge, practical considerations, and relationship with the landscape community. Anita

Suki Woodward

June 14, 2017

The Landscape Company provides all my properties with outstanding A+ service. Professional and quality, it's what I've come to expect. Thanks Phil for raising the bar. I would recommend your crews for any landscape project, big or small.

How Natural Grazing Improves Land Management in California

Transform Your Landscape With Sustainable Grazing Services

State-of-the-Art Grazing Practices

What Are the Benefits of Targeted Grazing?

Fire Prevention:

Chemical-Free Weed Control:

Restoration of Native Habitats:

Accessibility and Efficiency:

Soil Enrichment:

A Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

Share Article

Our Reviews