Studies by the Ministry found that sheep are effective in controlling this brush invasion. The Ministry is now seeking ways to expand sheep grazing projects in these areas. At Vermont's Mount Snow Ski Resort and in Alberta, Canada, sheep are used to control brush invasion on ski slopes during the summer months. In Virginia, the National Parks Service uses sheep to control brush invasions on Civil War battlefields. Research indicates that proper sheep grazing can improve sagebrush-grass ranges more effectively than costly chemical spraying, burning or mechanical treatments.
Sheep assist land managers who rely on controlled burns to clear brush from forests and rangelands.
Sheep grazing promotes grass growth and suppresses woody vegetation resulting in greater amounts of fine fuels for more effective controlled burns.