The area depicted in your May 14 "What's up with that?" is a portion of the future site of the city of Westlake Village Community Park/YMCA.

The current "farm" operation is actually a two-month pilot project sponsored by the city which is studying the benefits of using small ruminants- sheep and goats- for brush clearance.

Given the history of wildfires in Southern California and most recently those in Santa Barbara, many of which were apparently caused by brush clearance operations, there's a clear need for a more safe and sustainable means of managing fuel loads in our urban-wildland interface zones.

The sheep and goats provide for a progressive means of managing grass, brush and ladder fuel, as well as controlling undesirable growth such as yellow star thistle, mustard, arundo and other invasive species.

The two burros, Jennie and Josito, act as guardians for the herd against predators like coyotes, and two Great Pyrenees, Bonnie and Clyde, mind the shop as well. Management and care of the herd is provided by large animal veterinarian Karen Simer and her partner Gregory "Drummer" Moore. This team of professionals provides medical support, such as vaccinations, shearing and hoof trimming, and attends to the dietary needs of these animals.

The sheep, goats and burros are model employees; they work hard, have a great cando attitude and don't talk too much.

The city has been very happy with the results of the project, and thanks its city engineer John Knipe, City Manager Ray Taylor and City Council for their visionary support for this project.

This has been a great experience, and we hope that other cities in Conejo Valley will consider using these creatures in their brush clearance programs in the future. Robert Woodward Department of Public Works City of Westlake Village