Fire prevention underway near the historic Mission ruins in Santa Barbara with 100 sheep on site
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – With the tremendous rain this year, the seasonal grasses have grown, almost out of control in many areas, including near the Old Mission.
The Santa Barbara City Parks department has the responsibility for the Mission Historical Park land where historic ruins exist, dating back to the 1800's. This is the first time sheep have been used there.
Since May, the city has identified five park locations where the sheep will be beneficial and remove the grasses in a safer, more efficient way than work crews. In all, about 25 acres will be cleared as part of the necessary defensible space for fire protection near structures.
In addition to the Mission project, the sheep have been scheduled at Hale Park, Parma Park, Laurel Canyon Park and Franceschi Park.
The work is done with a qualified biologist that looks for actively nesting birds.
The sheep are contained by a low level electronic fence and have an on site guard dog.
The site is managed independently of neighboring Old Mission Santa Barbara. In an agreement with the Franciscans, the land was transferred to the city in 1928, and then became part of the master plan in the 1940's. The name change to Mission Historic Park took place in the 1950's.
Father Larry Gosselin from Old Mission Santa Barbara came out with a prayer, "loving God we thank you that you have given us and provided us with these sheep. Both for protection of this land to reduce the fuel and vegetation that might be growing here so as to protect our community from any future fire."
Park Supervisor Steve Biddle, "we are trying to at least reduce the fuels that are on the ground."
The sheep can go through more than a half an acre a day.
Biddle said, "the traditional way we did this before was with a large tractor and a field mower and we would go through it and mow everything to the ground and staff with weed whips where the tractor wouldn't fit and basically mechanically manage this."
 "On one side we have the beautiful rose garden. and mission and large grass area the other side we have the passive area protecting the ruins in their natural state," said Biddle. "This is an historic site so we want to protect the ruins here from the early Mission days. We are really happy the sheep seem to be gentle on the ground."
Father Larry said, "they are, they're protecting it they are protecting it from fire isn't a wonderful gift ."
Mission Historic Park
The City of Santa Barbara has preserved valuable aspects of the historic mission grounds including:
Upper Reservoir and Grist Mill: In 1827, a water-powered grist mill and its adjacent hexagon-shaped sandstone reservoir were constructed. The ruins of the 30-foot grist mill remain. Water was introduced into the mill via a wooden-gated penstock and a clay pipe causing it to rotate and generate power for the millstones to grind grain into flour.
Filter House: Next to the upper reservoir to its north are the ruins of a filter house which purified water for domestic purposes. The incoming water flowed through a mix of charcoal and sandstone before it was channeled to the lower reservoir.
Lower Reservoir: In 1806, a square stone reservoir was constructed as part of an irrigation system providing water for the Mission's orchards and gardens. This reservoir was utilized by the City for water storage until 1993.
Aqueduct: In 1807, a dam and complementary aqueduct system was constructed in Mission Canyon to supply water to the residents of the Mission. Dams were built at the west and east forks of Mission Creek, north of the Mission. A remaining portion of the lower aqueduct wall still exists north of the grassy area within the park.
Tannery: This housed the massive stone vats containing treatment chemicals that were used to convert animal hides into leather. The leather product was used to manufacture horse saddles, footwear, and other leather accessories.
Pottery: The Pottery is located at just north of the intersection of Alameda Padre Serra and East Los Olivos Street. Built in 1808, the facility was where the Chumash workers produced tiles, water pipes, and cooking pottery.
Olive Trees: A small grove of olive trees was planted by The Garden Club of Santa Barbara in 1919 to honor those who gave their lives in World War I. The Garden Club and the City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first planting by adding several more olive trees.
(More details, video and photos will be added here later today.)
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