Unusual groundskeepers in Annelinn: sheep return to Tartu
- Jul 28
- 1 min read
Three sheep arrived in Annelinn, Tartu's ClimaGen intervention site, on a very direct request from residents during community discussions about their neighbourhood.
The sheep now spend their days trimming grass in the Annelinn area, with around 20 expected to arrive over the summer, alongside goats and cows in Tartu's green spaces. It's a shift from last year, when the animals grazed only at Maarjavälja; this time, following strong local interest, they've been brought directly into residential areas.
The response from residents has been immediate. As one Annelinn resident, Tatjana, put it to Estonian public broadcaster ERR: she couldn't wait to pet the "lovely sheep".
Maris Pever, Climate Specialist at the City of Tartu, explained that the idea is as much about bringing nature back closer to people as it is about the practical side: supporting biodiversity and soil health, while giving children a chance to experience something that used to be a normal part of everyday life.
The story didn't stay local for long, it was picked up by all of Estonia's major TV channels, plus national and local press, turning a small grazing project into a nationwide moment for urban nature and climate-resilient neighbourhoods.
🔗 Read more:
🎥 Watch:
