What did One Living Sanctuary do in 2020?

Infrastructure

Fencing

When we moved into our property, we took over a former beef farming operation, with over 2.5 miles (!) of rusty barbed wire fencing in a poor state of repair. Before we could safely rescue any large beings, we had to replace the worst areas of fencing, and remove a lot of barbed wire in the process. This is an ongoing project, and we joke is like painting the Golden Gate bridge: once we’ve completed the fence, we’ll have to start again!

Environment

Fortunately, most of the ground on our sanctuary is covered in grass, or trees. Some areas, and one of them a critical road, were bared ground, and we have covered about 90% of the 1.25 miles in mulch. This mulch helps slow wildfire, preserves the underlying soil, allowing for ecosystem, and helps prevent erosion.

Water & Electricity

This summer was another hot summer, and sadly it dried out our pond in the upper field, removing any water source in the upper fields. We’ve dug 90% of a well, with about another 20ft to go, which will supply both our rescues and wildlife with fresh water. In the meantime, we’ve been keeping a smaller pond stocked by driving water (in our bio-diesel fuelled truck) to where it’s needed. We hope to finish drilling in 2020, and install the pump and solar panels in 2021.

We installed solar panels to offset electricity used, which has generated 3254kWh, or saved about 2535 pounds of coal being burned.

Accommodation

Our long-term goal is to provide camping and tiny homes, but we have to start small! Thanks to an incredibly kind donation, we were able to buy an RV for our incredible animal care worker to call home.

Rescues

2020 was a wonderful year for rescues! We have provided for-ever homes for:

• 7 pigs (bringing us to a total of 8)

• 4 horses

• 6 goats (bringing us to a total of 9, one of whom was born here)

• 5 cows (mooooooooooooooooo)

• 1 duck (bringing us to a total of 2)

• 2 quail

• 3 turkeys

• oh so many chickens!

Because of your support, the people we’ve rescued will never have to fear humans, and will never be exploited. Their sentience isn’t just respected, but celebrated!

To rescue more, we will need to build another barn in the upper fields, which will require a large amount of capital in 2021.

Community

COVID threw a spanner in the works for some of our plans, but like so many wonderful people, we prevailed! We’ve managed to run community volunteer days, with safe social distancing (it’s easy with 120 acres!). We’ve made new friends, and spread our message of peace further into the Bay Area communities.

We have two confirmed converts to a plant-based life, which will save 803,000 gallons of water per year, 2100 square foot of forest, 730 sentient lives, and 14,600 pounds of CO2.

We’ve run socially distanced tours, allowing people to meet our rescues. Not as many as we’d hoped, but we can’t wait to see you!