Experience Conservation Grazing in Action Series

The California Council of Land Trusts is proud to host a series of field trips designed to give participants a first-hand look at conservation grazing. Join us for one Saturday trip or attend the full series at a discount.

Please contact Amanda Vasquez at [email protected] with the trip you would like to sign up for.

Field Trip I: April 16th, 9am – 12pm

Join a field day on the McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve in Fresno, CA to discuss Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s rangeland management and conservation grazing programs. Topics covered will include design and implementation of conservation grazing plans designed for improved ecosystem function, productivity and specific ecological objectives in the Sierra Foothills region. A tour of the preserve will include paddock and water system design, monitoring transect locations and examples of using animal impact for ecosystem process management on the preserve. SFC staff will discuss their work with NRCS and Point Blue Conservation Science to develop objectives for wildlife, native plant species conservation and soil improvement.

Field Trip II: April 29th, 10am – 1pm

Participate in a tour that focuses on how Paicines Ranch in Paicines, CA in using livestock grazing to build ecosystem health (soil, water holding capacity, biodiversity and productivity). We will look at examples of livestock grazing on rangelands, irrigated cropland and vineyards, and discuss the role of holistic management and design in creating healthy ecosystems.

Field Trip III: May 14th, 10am – 3pm

Santa Lucia Conservancy will host a field day on the 18,000+ acre Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel, CA to share land stewardship and biodiversity goals and early outcomes from the first three years of our conservation grazing program. The event will focus on designing a program in a highly diverse and rugged landscape, conducting grazing in a manner that protects livestock, native predators and wildlife connectivity; managing grazing in wetlands, native grasslands and other sensitive areas; and grazing within a residential community. SLC staff will also share our ecological monitoring efforts and early ecosystem responses to grazing by cattle and goats. Tour limited to 20 people to ensure plenty of interaction.

Field Trip IV: May 21st, 10am -12pm

Please join us for a walking tour of TomKat Ranch in Pescadero, CA. Our tour includes a brief history of the ranch and an overview of what it means to practice regenerative agricultural practices that use grazing animals to improve water, nutrient, and carbon cycle of the land. Additionally, we will talk about how we use grazing animals to increase biodiversity on the ranch, create a healthy 100% grassfed beef business and our educational and ecological studies.