The beauty of sheep is their versatility - they can be integrated into multiple spaces within the built environment and surrounding landscapes. These “sheepscape” typologies include the following: places of cultural significance, ecological management,  maintenance in tricky spaces, agriculture, recreation, athletics, and therapy/support.

Here are a few examples to get started.

Places of Cultural Significance

Integrating sheep grazing into an well known site imbues a sustainable management that further elevates the interest and attraction of the monuments. These benefits are magnified in sites where incorporation of modern day sheep grazing calls to attention these practices as historically and culturally significant.

Ecological Management

Proper management of the ecological environment is essential for maintaining a habitable world. However, the management of large swathes of land is impossible by hand or modern day machinery. Nonetheless, management practices of these areas are critical, not only for aesthetics, but the prevention of catastrophes such as forest fires and devastation of riparian landscapes. Sheep grazing offers potential contributions.

  • Steep Slope Vegetation Management

    Sheep grazing is a far cheaper and safer alternative for managing lawns and other urban landscapes along steep slopes, notably the large swaths of land along highways. Famously, sheep in the Netherlands are used along the steep slope of dikes.

    Example:
    Sheep Do the Job at ‘EweML’

  • Fire Management

    Targeted grazing effectively reduces fuel loads of grasses and shrubs, resulting in a reduction of the severity and extent of wildfires. Specific treatment types can be applied by utilizing a variety of livestock species in addition to sheep, including goats and cattle–each having differing dietary and grazing habits.

    Example:
    Grazing for Fire Prevention
    Flocks of sheep are the firefighting solution we never knew we needed

  • Grassland, Rangeland, and Riparian Restoration

    Riparian landscapes are not easy to access through traditional management practices and tools. Often, the best option for restoration lies not in technological innovation, but in more labor intensive methods. Fortunately, sheep are better capable of traversing these terrains than machines and are eager weed eaters.

    Example:
    Compatibility of Livestock Grazing and Recreational Use on Coastal California Public Lands

Management of Tricky Urban Spaces

Sheep grazing as landscape management is not restricted to ecological spaces. Many built environments suffer from maintenance difficulties, reducing appeal and/or effectiveness, as well as driving up management costs. The sheep’s diverse appetite and smaller stature offer an intriguing and effective alternative.

  • Solar Field Grazing

    Sheep are uniquely suited for the management of photo-voltaic farms. Cows and horses are too large, and thus prone to damaging the solar panels. And, unlike sheep, goats are inclined to chew on foreign objects such as wires. Since sheep eat a diverse variety of forage, they will happily trim the grasses in hard to reach spaces (while taking advantage of the shade offered by the solar panels). Additionally, the solar fields provide forage for a growing demand in the domestic sheep market.

    Examples:
    Grazing season begins at Susquehanna University
    Electric sheep: Grazing in arrays supports economy, climate

  • Green Roof Maintenance

    Green roofs are increasingly dotting the skylines of crowded cites. In addition to reintroducing greenery into urbanized landscapes, green roofs are also being used to support urban agriculture. Small flocks of sheep have been historically used to maintain green roofs - it’s a cost saving vegetation management strategy and health and well-being booster for employees and families living and working nearby.

    Example:
    Sheep graze the roof at green sports centre in Preston

  • Graveyard Stewardship

    Overgrown spaces require significant amounts of manual labor. The nature of graveyards reduces the simplicity of landscape management. Compared to manual and mechanical practices, sheep grazing is an ecologically friendly means of saving on labor costs as well as reducing the risk of property damage.

    Examples:
    Sheep grazing at NYC church cemetery keep grounds tidy
    Letting sheep graze on consecrated ground is not disrespectful, diocesan Chancellor rules

Agricultural

Agriculture is the practice that includes the cultivation of soil, growing of crops, and rearing of livestock, to produce foods, fabrics, and other goods. While managing both livestock and land, farmers realized that a symbiotic relationship between sheep and certain crops could enhance management methods.

Athletics

The maintenance of natural grass athletic fields is difficult and costly. Chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides are abundantly used in order to maintain standards. In addition, the sheer size of athletic fields and land requires extensive human labor. The introduction of sheep grazing can assist with the mitigation of chemical supplementation use and intensive or difficult manual labor. They may also provide another source of entertainment in these fields.

Recreation

These adorable, fluffy, gentle creatures are a natural candidate to be included in various recreational activities that encourage participants to both amuse and admire sheep in action, as well as become educated/experienced with sheep in an ever urbanizing world.

  • State & County Fair Competitions

    Sheep are often raised by students involved in 4-H or Future Farmers of America to compete in livestock competitions at county and state fairs. Livestock are judged on their degree of muscling, frame size, and quality of wool, among other traits.

  • Resort & Urban Park Maintenance

    Sheep are increasingly being brought in to maintain recreational areas such as resorts and urban parks. In addition to cutting back poolside lawnscapes and removing harmful weeds from dog parks, sheep provide the added benefit of attracting visitors to a site (and boosting its social media presence!).

    Example:
    Let Them Eat Grass: Paris Employs Sheep As Eco-Mowers

  • Petting Zoos

    A staple of toddler entertainment, petting zoos let children interact with farm animals such as sheep and lambs. Sheep that have been bottle-fed as babies or raised surrounded by people tend to enjoy the sociability of a petting zoo.

Food & Beverage

The reality of livestock, like sheep, is that most are reared to be consumed. Growing social movements have encouraged people to reduce meat consumption. An additional approach is to educate people through the personal experience of being amongst sheep and experiencing part of the agricultural process. People can experience both the mental and physical benefits of being around livestock, as well as become aware and educated on the process of what goes on in their meat consumption.

  • Farm to Table Restaurants

    Farm to table is a social movement where restaurants source their ingredients from local farms, usually through direct acquisition from a nearby farmer. Livestock, like sheep, are sustainably and humanely raised before being sold directly to the restaurant.

    Example:
    The Valais black nose sheep

  • Sheep Cafe

    In recent years, themed cafes have continued to grow in popularity. “Pet Cafes” have even garnered international attention. Given that studies have shown sheep to be effective companion animals that positively affect health and well-being, it should surprise no one when sheep cafes start popping up on every corner.

    Example:
    This Sheep Cafe In Korea Shares Viral Photos Of A Sheep Getting Washed

  • Butchering Workshops

    With an increasing focus on sustainable agricultural practices, the demand for whole-animal butchery skills has been on the rise. Classes cover basics of butchery: tools and equipment, basic anatomy and meat cuts, food prep, and care.

    Example:
    3-Day Complete Lamb Harvest
    Robinia Institute

Service/Therapy

These landscaping services and health benefits can be tailored to the individual needs as well. Spice up your front lawn and the psychiatric ward’s therapy session by incorporating sheep!