Fort Ord National Monument Hosts Sheep Appreciation Day

Visitors to the Fort Ord National Monument will be able to get a close look at the work done by our wooly friends during “Sheep Appreciation Day” Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The event will be at the picnic grounds on Skyline Road. Follow BLM Special Event signs from the Lightfighter Drive exit on Highway 1 or Reservation Road at Imjin Parkway.

“Come celebrate and get an up-close look at how 2,500 sheep at Fort Ord help native grasslands and reduce threat of wildfires,” said Bruce Delgado, Bureau of Land Management botanist at Fort Ord

”For years, visitors have been fascinated with sheep grazing on Fort Ord, but many other visitors haven’t had the chance to enjoy them and Sheep Appreciation Day is for everyone to get that chance,” he said. “Come experience the baaaaack country sheep on Fort Ord!”

Visitors will be able to meet the sheep owner, sheep herders from Peru, and real sheep dogs. A presentation will be made at 10 a.m. on dogs’ prey drive pack mentality. A sheep-shearing demonstration will run from 9:30 to11 a.m.
 
There will be a wool spinning demonstration by Anne’s Web and a dog behavior talk by Barbara DeGroodt. Sheep owner Pete Yriarte will speak about caring for the 2,500 Fort Ord sheep. There will also be free raffles held with winners getting shuttled to see sheepdog herding demonstrations with a real band of sheep at 9:30, 10:30 and 11 a.m.

Donuts and coffee, teriaki chicken shish kababs, sandwiches, and drinks will be available for purchase.

For more information, contact Tammy Jakl or Bruce Delgado of BLM at 831-394-8314 or bdelgado@blm.gov

Please do not bring pets to this event.

Central California District   5152 Hillsdale Circle, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762