Located along the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee, tourists are treated to a unique sight as they journey past the city’s skyline on party pontoon boats. Among the busy urban landscape, they encounter an unexpected scene of hundreds of sheep peacefully grazing on the grassy riverbank. Zach Richardson, the urban sheepherder responsible for overseeing this flock, mentions that tourists sometimes go out of their way to get a closer look at what has been dubbed the Nashville Chew Crew. The appeal of watching sheep graze has contributed to their increasing popularity as workers in urban settings.

Using sheep for prescribed grazing is not a new concept, but more urban communities are turning to this eco-friendly method to address various land management issues. These include managing invasive species, reducing wildfire risks, protecting native vegetation and animal habitats, as well as preserving historic sites. In 2017, Nashville’s parks department employed the Chew Crew to help maintain Fort Negley, a Civil War-era Union fortification that was overgrown with weeds that lawnmowers struggled to manage. The sheep now graze about 150 acres (60.7 hectares) of city property annually, including the historic Nashville City Cemetery.

Accompanying the flock of sheep are livestock guardian dogs, Anatolian shepherds, who work tirelessly to keep intruders at bay and ensure the safety of the herd. The Chew Crew primarily consists of hair sheep, known for naturally shedding their fibers and often raised for meat production. An essential member of the team is Duggie, the border collie, who assists Richardson in controlling the flock with just a few whistles and commands.

In Santa Barbara, California, grazing sheep have been employed for approximately seven years as a means of managing land buffers to prevent the spread of wildfires. This approach has garnered community support and serves as an engaging method of land management. Grazed areas can significantly impact fire behavior by slowing down or halting its progress, providing firefighters with a crucial opportunity to contain the blaze.

Beyond municipalities, universities have also explored using herds of goats and sheep for land management. The University of Georgia, for instance, enlisted a herd of goats to tackle an invasive plant issue on campus in an environmentally friendly and non-toxic manner. Inspired by his experiences at UGA, Zach Richardson founded the Chew Crew and has transitioned to utilizing sheep over goats due to their flock-oriented nature and less adventurous tendencies.

While sheep grazing presents numerous benefits for urban areas, it is essential to consider its limitations and potential impacts on the environment. Urban site selection is crucial, and education on the reasons behind grazing in specific locations is paramount. Challenges such as predator attacks and environmental repercussions, like seed spreading and habitat disruption, require careful consideration and mitigation efforts.

In Nashville, the presence of the Chew Crew along the Cumberland River’s greenway has not only transformed the landscape but also supported a diverse ecosystem. While one side maintained by traditional mowers resembles a manicured golf course, the other side where the sheep graze thrives with wildlife like rabbits, butterflies, groundhogs, and nesting birds. Richardson emphasizes the importance of connecting people with nature through the presence of the sheep, sparking curiosity and appreciation for the environment.

Beyond their role as land managers, the sheep in urban areas serve as a bridge between city life and nature, creating opportunities for community engagement and environmental stewardship. By blending traditional landscaping methods with sustainable grazing practices, cities like Nashville and Santa Barbara are reaping the benefits of employing these woolly workers in their urban landscapes.