About 

Welcome to California, 2023.
We're running all-time highs when it comes to fire destruction, devastation, and distress.
It's time to put our best foot forward when it comes to proactive land management.

The Good Shepherds are here to help.

We deliver efficient, effective, and ecological solutions for reducing fire loads and improving soil health.
We also encourage widespread education and awareness around the means by which we can improve our collective experience here on the planet:
service, stewardship, and seed-sowing.

SERVICE means good work.
It involves action, and the thoughts and feelings behind such action. It promotes whole-system functionality.

STEWARDSHIP means good care.
It involves an understanding of the real needs of all beings. It promotes protection and preservation.

SEED-SOWING means good planning.
It involves the keeping of records and dreams. It promotes new growth, and ensures true wealth.

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. 

Jake

Jake is a land steward and management expert who lends his immense knowledge and experience to our team.

As the founder of U GROW Organics, Jake has helped to pave a path away from resource-intensive landscaping. He provides water conservation solutions, edible/productive landscapes and low water "Xeriscaping." In 2012, Jake spearheaded a youth program focusing on waste reduction and nutrition by implementing composting and organic horticulture practices. He continued with adult educational courses and curriculum relating to water-conscious landscaping practices and permaculture business models at Mira Costa College, CA.

​Jake is also a freestyle chef, musician, and avid surfer.

Gina

Gina merges her passion for written words and working forms to build socially-responsible enterprise. With more than a decade 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.

​In 2018, Gina founded The Regenerative Writing Institute, where she supports healers and helpers in sharing their message with the world. Gina has a B.A. in Writing from UCSD, along with training in Yoga, Reiki, and the Awakened Method. She is also a dedicated dancer and drummer. In her free time, Gina can be found “prayerforming” with her rhythmic poetry project, Ethereal Rising.

Austin

Austin is a powerhouse with more than 10 years of experience under his belt when it comes to vegetation health and management.

As a practicing permaculturist and builder, he has focused on organic plant and tree nutrition, gardening, tree rescue, milling, pruning, and shaping, brush clearing, and composting. 

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 shepherd, Panda is a short-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.
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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.