Environmental Planning • Habitat Restoration • Biological Resources • Vegetation Management • Regulatory Compliance • Goat Grazing
(949) 243-2282
07 Feb 2023

OCFA Open House Goat Exhibit

Join Sage Environmental Group at this annual Open House at the Orange County Fire Authority's Headquarters. Find Sage Goats' pen and info booth in the courtyard.

Always a fun, family event .... it's back this year after the pandemic hiatus. You can enjoy meeting firefighters, watching demonstrations, and exploring fire and rescue equipment. Saturday, March 4 from 9am to 3pm. Address: 1 Fire Authority Road, Irvine, CA. Join us!

Details here.....

We will be hosting an educational booth highlighting the benefits of prescribed grazing for fire fuel modification. Come meet the baby goats and our new great pyrenees puppies. We will have a puppy name suggestion basket at our booth.

Sage is a certified landscaping contractor and prescribed grazing contractor with the OCFA.

We work closely with OCFA fire inspectors to determine the proper zones and required removal of flameable and invasive plants at client sites.

 

ODFA Open House 2023

26 Sep 2022
Forest masticator removing highly flammable acacia redolens

Forest Mastication is an Eco-Friendly Method of Fire Fuel Reduction

Working Demonstration of Forest Masticator/Mulcher Equipment

Sage has recently incorporated the use of forest masticator/mulcher equipment in its fire fuel modification projects in wildland/urban interface settings. In August 2022, we hosted a working demonstration for clients and fire inspectors.

Acacia Recolens Removal

As required by Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), this client's site involved removal of a large amount of acacia redolens (commonly known as bank catclaw, prostrate acacia, or desert carpet). Acacia redolens is an extremely flammeable species of shrub/tree (because of its high content of cresote). Other acacia species are currently acceptable to fire departments.

Sage completed fire fuel load reduction on steep slopes throughout this large site overlooking the ocean. It is an area of Laguna Niguel situated in a high priority fire prevention zone. Most of the work consisted of prescribed goat grazing and hand removal/trimming of vegetation.

Why Did We Use A Forest Masticator?

The forest masticator/mulcher equipment was brought in to knock down and mulch a large area of the acacia redolens. It had overgrown to over 6 feet tall. The goats will not consume acacia, the taste is not appealing to them. Hand removal by crews would have involved extensive cutting and hauling of bio mass. It would have taken several weeks of labor and possibly create erosion on these steep slopes. By using the forest masticator/mulcher equipment the job was done in 2 short days.

The forest masticator/mulcher equipment treats woody material by mulching or chipping to a small very size and working it into the soil to become a source of nutrition. This approach contributes to habitat restoration and forest health.

What is forest mastication?

Read article

Mastication is a fuel reduction treatment method used in forestry management to reduce wildfire risk, to reduce fuel loadings by returning the forest to natural conditions. Masticating fuels, or mulching the forest, involves the reduction of vegetation into small chunks and is one of the many ways overstocked forest stands are thinned. The benefits include opening the canopy and forest floor which provides the remaining trees access to more nutrients, sunlight and water. When trees are crowded together, they are in competition for sunlight and water. As a result they tend to be less healthy. Mastication can assist in removing some trees in the early stages, to allow the remaining trees to grow faster, stronger and larger. Over the past decade, Forest mastication methods have dramatically reduced wildfire hazards and greatly improved forest health.

Sage staff evaluating highly flammable and overgrown acacia redolens to be removed by using a forest masticator
Sage staff evaluating highly flammable and overgrown acacia redolens to be removed by using a forest masticator
Left to Right: OCFA Fire Inspector (Juan Huerta), Laguna Niguel Councilwoman (Sandy Rains) and Sage Project Manager (Alissa Cope) watching masticator operating below ridge.
Left to Right: OCFA Fire Inspector (Juan Huerta), Laguna Niguel Councilwoman (Sandy Rains) and Sage Project Manager (Alissa Cope) watching masticator operating below ridge.
Left to Right: OCFA Fire Inspector (Juan Huerta), Laguna Niguel Councilwoman (Sandy Rains) and Sage Project Manager (Alissa Cope). Fully mulched slopes.
Left to Right: OCFA Fire Inspector (Juan Huerta), Laguna Niguel Councilwoman (Sandy Rains) and Sage Project Manager (Alissa Cope). Fully mulched slopes.
Fire Inspector and Sage staff evaluating a completed section of acadia redolens removed by masticating/mulching
Fire Inspector and Sage staff evaluating a completed section of acadia redolens removed by masticating/mulching
Background: Slopes cleared by goat grazing. Foreground: Highly flammable acacia redolens to be removed using forest masticator/mulcher equipment.
Background: Slopes cleared by goat grazing. Foreground: Highly flammable acacia redolens to be removed using forest masticator/mulcher equipment.
The masticator works in two steps. First, the upper blades chop vegetation. Second, the lower roller mulches vegetation and works it into the soil.
The masticator works in two steps. First, the upper blades chop vegetation. Second, the lower roller mulches vegetation and works it into the soil.
14 Feb 2022
CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Resilience Block Grant

Wildfire Prevention Grants

CAL FIRE Wildfire Resilience Block Grant 2022

CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Resilience Block Grant solicitation 2022 is now open. Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2022 at 5 pm.

A virtual workshop will be hosted on February 24, 2022 at 1 pm. The workshop will be recorded.

For more details, visit the CAL FIRE website: Learn More Here

Solicitation, application process, eligible activities and projects can be found in the Grant Guidelines (download link)

Sage Environmental Group can assist land managers to evaluate and prepare the grant application.

23 Mar 2020
Laguna Niguel City Council Sage Environmental Group goat grazing

Goat Grazing for Weed Abatement Pilot Program Launched in Laguna Niguel

~ City of Laguna Niguel Civic Alert

Message from the City of Laguna Niguel (Mar 4): "The City of Laguna Niguel is happy to announce that it will be utilizing goat grazing as part of its Weed Abatement Program in select areas as a proactive method of fire prevention. This will be an effective, efficient and eco-friendly method of Fire Fuel Weed Control."

Featured Photo: (L-R): Council Member John Mark Jennings, Council Member Elaine Gennawey, Mayor Laurie Davies, Council Member Sandy Rains, Sage Environmental Group owner Alissa Cope, Mayor Pro Tem Fred Minagar.

 

LINK: Civic Alert

WHEN: March – June 2020

WHERE: Reef Park, Kite Hill, La Hermosa Park, and La Vita

CONTACT: Jerry Sollom, Parks and Landscape Maintenance Superintendent

(949) 362-4349 work (949) 795-1537 cell

JSollom@cityoflagunaniguel.org

MEDIA COVERAGE: OC Register

The city's civic alert provides links to FAQs and a MAP of where the goats will be grazing during the spring season.

Residents are invited to view goat grazing from hiking trails near the work areas during daylight hours. Heed the warning signs. Do Not Touch Electric Fence.

Currently, goat grazing is at La Hermosa Park. The city's webpage civic alert will be updated with real-time goat grazing locations once they are relocated.

Disney and Rocky two juvenile goats visited Laguna Niguel civic center
Laguna Niguel City Manager Tamara Letourneau visits goat grazing site at Reef Park. Guard dogs Duke & Tuffy create social distancing.

Managing fire fuel weeds is an important part of reducing fire threat and fire intensity. In addition, it is extremely critical in the defensible space surrounding homes and buildings.

~ City of Laguna Niguel

~ Meet and Greet at the Laguna Niguel Civic Center

To kick off this goat grazing pilot program, the city invited their new weed abatement contractor, Sage Environmental Group, to visit the civic center ..... and bring a few goats!

Alissa Cope, owner of Sage Goat Grazing, and Carson Helton, Field Director, arrived with two adorable juvenile goats named "Disney" and "Rocky." The two goats charmed their hosts and were happy to be fed treats of hay and pose for photos.

This meet and greet was a great opportunity for city officials and others to learn more about the benefits of goat grazing for weed abatement and how the program will work as a fire prevention method at four sites on city-owned property. Some benefits are:

  • Natural weed control method that does not harm the environment.
  • Targets and consumes unwanted vegetation, leaving behind cleared terrain.
  • Helps the ecosystem to recover by removing invasive and non-native plants.
  • Goats graze large acreage and steep areas where mechanical control is not feasible.
City Council Member Elaine Gennawey with Sage Owner Alissa Cope and two juvenile goats
Fuel Reduction Area Sign
Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce. Dianne Smith, Administrator, and Scott Alevy, President & CEO
Alissa Cope with goats and children
Educational Display Signs Placed at Goat Grazing Site

We are the only environmental consulting firm that owns and manages an in-house herd of goats, which makes us unique within the ecological conservation and weed abatement sector. Our approach to goat grazing is targeted and effective in order to eradicate invasive, fire-prone weeds while avoiding desired native plants that are critical to habitat restoration goals.

~ Alissa Cope, owner, Sage Environmental Group

~ Goat Grazing at Reef Park in Laguna Niguel

The first week of goat grazing kicked off after a few days of heavy rain. The targeted invasive black mustard was thick and tall. The goats unloaded from their carrier and eagerly started munching away. They cleared a large area with ease, then settled down after dark to digest. The first two photos depict the weeds before and after goat grazing.

Invasive black mustard targeted weed abatement area. Can you see the guard dog playing hide and seek?
Invasive weed black mustard (foreground grazed background ungrazed)
Goat grazing at Reef Park in Laguna Niguel
Goat grazing at Reef Park in Laguna Niguel
Goat grazing at Reef Park in Laguna Niguel
Goat grazing at Reef Park in Laguna Niguel
Goat grazing at Reef Park in Laguna Niguel
Goat grazing at Reef Park in Laguna Niguel
26 Feb 2020
City of Irvine State of the City Event - Goat Grazing Exhibit and Petting Zoo

Goat Grazing Exhibit at Irvine Civic Center

Invitation From the Mayor

 

Message from the City of Irvine (Feb 19): "The State of the City is one week away and we've got something special planned! From 3-6 p.m., our grazing goats will be on-site at the Irvine Civic Center, giving residents a chance to learn more about how they are being used to maintain our open space and prevent wildfires. A reception will be held at 5 p.m., followed by Mayor Christina L. Shea's State of the City Address at 6 p.m." Details here... and here...

 

Mayor’s Address Highlights Green Initiatives

State of the City 2020. Under Mayor Shea's leadership, in 2016, the City of Irvine adopted the nation's first non-toxic herbicide policy that requires an organic approach to weed control on city-owned property, including parks, sports fields, greenbelts and open space. Read Integrated Pest Management policy here.

For the city's forward-thinking approach, in February 2020, the California EPA, Department of Pesticide Regulation, presented an award to the mayor and others integrally involved in crafting the city's organic policy during a ceremony in Sacramento. Read press release here.

Mayor Shea's State of the City address highlighted the city's Green Initiatives with recognition during her presentation, displays in the lobby of city hall and an interactive goat exhibit on the main plaza. She praised the use of goats on city property over the past year and announced expansion into more areas of the city this year to assist with weed and fire abatement.

"Our goats are an important component of our non-toxic program," Mayor Shea said.

Media Coverage Orange County Register | Irvine Indy| Irvine Weekly | UCI New University

View Speech Video City of Irvine Website

View Speech Transcript City of Irvine Website

"It is a privilege to support Irvine's organic IPM initiative by providing goat grazing services for weed abatement and habitat restoration." Alissa Cope, Principal, Sage Environmental Group

IPM Award Mayor Shea and Ayn Craniun

IPM Award ~~ Mayor Shea and Ayn Craniun

Photo Credit: Leonard Ortiz (OC Register)

Irvine Mayor Shea Visits Sage Goat Grazing Exhibit

Photo Credit: Sage Environmental Group

Preschool Children Visit With Sage Goats

Photo Credit: Leonard Ortiz (OC REgister)

Irvine Council Member Anthony Kuo Feeds Goats

Irvine Mayor Shea with Sage Owner Alissa Cope

Irvine Mayor Shea with Sage Owner Alissa Cope

Sage Goat Grazing Featured in Irvine Green Initiatives

Sage Goat Grazing Featured in Irvine Green Initiatives

Photo Credit: Leonard Ortiz (OC Register)

Preschooler Pets Goats in Interactive Display

Irvine Agenda Goat Grazing Exhibit

Irvine Agenda Goat Grazing Exhibit at 3PM

Irvine IPM Initiative Poster Display

Irvine IPM Initiative Poster Display

10 Oct 2019

Goat Grazing for Fire Prevention | Fire Fuel Load Reduction

 

Sage Environmental Group specializes in habitat restoration and weed abatement. Our in-house herd of goats is an important component of our approach as a natural method of fire fuel load control. We support fire authorities, municipalities and home owners associations in Southern California. Unique in the grazing industry, all work is completed under the supervision of restoration ecologists, wildlife biologists, and regulatory specialists who manage all planning and execution of field activities. Sage is a registered vendor with CALFIRE and county/municipal fire departments. Sage holds a CSLB Landscape Contractor License, and Department of Pesticide Regulations herbicide applicator license.

30 Jul 2019
Goat Grazing at Quail Hill

Irvine Mayor Shea Hosts Wildland Management Event at Fire Station

Irvine Mayor Shea hosted a Wildfire Management Event at Fire Station 47

The City of Irvine Mayor Christina L. Shea recently hosted a Wildland Management Event in Quail Hill at Fire Station 47. Exhibits and activities included a Firefighter Hand Crew Demonstration, Goat Grazing, fire equipment, various information booths, and remarks by the mayor, the fire chief, and the police chief. Mayor Shea led one of her frequent trail walks. She was joined by a group of Irvine residents.

The Sage herd of weed abatement goats were in 2 areas: a large field full of yummy weeds and an enclosure where children and adults could feed and pet them. The goats love to help with weed control for wildfire prevention.

We invite you to view enjoy this short video prepared by Mayor Shea and the City of Irvine.

Wildland Management Event Video

12 Jun 2019
Irvine Mayor Shea Visits Sage Goat Grazing Site at Bommer Canyon

Irvine Mayor Shea Visits Sage Goat Grazing Site at Bommer Canyon

The City of Irvine Mayor Christina L. Shea recently visited an Irvine Ranch Conservancy habitat restoration site at Bommer Canyon, where Sage Environmental Group was contracted to deploy its in-house herd of goats to graze invasive and non-native weeds during May 2019.

The site is located within Bommer Canyon in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy is implementing this habitat restoration project in partnership with the City of Irvine. The project is in an area that was part of Irvine's historic cattle operations that resulted in overgrazing and the introduction of non-native plants and weeds, which degraded the natural habitat.

Targeted, intensive goat grazing is being tested as a method to consume the weeds and seeds and prepare the site for direct seeding with native species. The restoration area will link existing coastal sage scrub habitat on the adjacent hillside with restored riparian habitat.

We invite you to view this short video that includes remarks by Christina L. Shea (Mayor, City of Irvine), David Raetz (Deputy Director, Irvine Ranch Conservancy), and Alissa Cope (Principal Planner/Habitat Restoration, Sage Environmental Group).

20 May 2019
Goat Grazing for Wildland Management - OCAEP May 21 2019

Alissa Cope to Speak at OC AEP about Goat Grazing for Wildland Management

Alissa Cope, Principal Planner and Habitat Restoration Specialist, will address the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Environmental Planners luncheon on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Irvine Civic Center.

She will discuss the benefits of goat grazing as an effective method of invasive plant eradication and fire fuel load removal. Sage Environmental Group owns an in-house herd of goats now working in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

This is unique for an environmental planning firm and an advantage to Land Managers who can rely on grazing activities that are planned and implemented from a scientific and regulatory compliance perspective in accordance with local conservation plans to prevent over grazing and achieve restoration goals.