About 

Welcome to California, 2025.
We're running all-time highs when it comes to fire destruction, devastation, and distress.
It's time to get the hooves on the ground for proactive land management.

We deliver cost efficient, effective, and ecological solutions for reducing fire loads and improving soil health.
We also encourage widespread education and awareness of how we can engage as beneficial members of the natural ecosystems.

The Good Shepherds are here to help.

As men and women tapping into our ancestral roots of nomadic pastoralism we are weaving relationships between the boxes of the open space and the urban interface. Connecting the threads of stewardship in marginal land that is often overlooked, and focusing on regenerating ecosystems while making communities safer from the accumulation fire hazards.

We care for our herd ruminants, shepherd them on the land.  Filling a void where their wild counterparts, massive herds of ruminants, are no longer in the landscape. We answer the question, “Who is going to eat that?” as plant material grows, and dies and very little natural pressure exists to cycle it, besides the intense fires. We help bridge the natural cycles, enhancing the natural and built environments.

We see our work as part of nature, as we do our best to listen, working with the cycles, and for the benefit of all its inhabitants.

If you're interested in coming to learn more about our work, we have opportunities for volunteers. Contact us!

THE TEAM

Meet the hearts and minds behind the unincorporated, freely associating group of
Good Shepherds - Regenerative Land Management Group Unincorporated.

Matthew

Matthew is a well-rounded advisor and team player, with a background in international development. After earning his B.A. at UCLA, Matthew began his journey as a socially and environmentally oriented entrepreneur. He has founded and co-founded several businesses and small living communities between San Diego and Thailand. He has also served as a credentialed Educator with a Master’s in Special Education.

Now, Matthew has shifted his focus to land regeneration through grazing ruminants and shaping successionary environments from arid to fertile.  A grand visionary with his feet firmly on the ground, he has a diverse skill set and great interpersonal communication and problem resolution skills. In his free time, Matthew loves to surf, make music, and give warm hugs.

Angelica Paz​

Angelica's recent experiences with shepherding, fire abatement and forest restoration has left her excited to regenerate our earth with these healthy, progressive approaches. She aims to connect more deeply with all animals, the land and life's seasons and is excited to use her love of words and expression to share about the journey. 

​Angelica is passionate about the transformative practices of singing, yoga, reiki, ThetaHealing and intuitive body work, as well as supporting new families as their doula and being a voice for birth to be a cosmic, conscious experience. She is here to connect authentically with the world around her and is dedicated to living a life of love. 

Gina

Gina merges her passion for written words to build socially-responsible enterprise. With almost 20 years of creative content development and marketing experience, she keeps one hand on the earth and the other on the page—cultivating potent engagement between change-makers and their target audiences.

​Gina helped launch the Good Shepherds alongside Matthew and Angelica in 2021; she then went on to start an associated outdoor educational enrichment program for youth called Little Shepherds Nature Lab. She also hosts community song circles on a regular basis.

Austin

Austin loves the outdoors and has a passion for learning and collaborating across many aspects of regenerative earth work. His connection with animals and all living beings is evident in everything he does.​

Bear

Bear is a stud Great Pyrenees, and our lead livestock guardian. He was born in Grass Valley, California, to sire Falcour and dam Athena. He wears a double coat during winter, and considers the great outdoors to be the only suitable home we have. Bear therefore protects the interest of sheep and the shepherds with all his might and majesty.  Inquiries about siring are welcomed.

Panda

Our star herding dog, Panda, is a smooth-haired Border Collie.  She knows how to do what we do after years of close work and patience. You may see her inside and outside of the paddock. She loves to ride along, and is ready for work 24/7.

She is friendly to other dogs, and will protect her cat sister, Molly Meatball, loves to play fetch and thinks everybody is a potential friend. 

Diamond

Our best nursery guardian. She is great with kids, lambs and the mothers.  Litter mates with Bear, they both have the same birth date and share some personality characteristics.

She loves belly rubs and will usually ask you for more pets with a gentle paw.
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Darling

Darling is a mixed breed Livestock Guardian Dog, She came from another shepherding outfit, who thought she is mix of Anatolian, Karakachan and Chow. She is very protective of the spaces that she is guarding and can often be seen sprinting to check out potential threats.