The Natural aspects of this property include abundant water springs, diverse flora and fauna, and agriculture.
Water
Water is one of our most valuable resources.
Winter Springs Ranch was named for its abundance of natural, year-round springs that feed our ponds and streams. We have water rights for several of the springs and two water reservoirs.
Schoolhouse Creek and Miller Creek originate on the Ranch and both run year-round. Schoolhouse Creek is a salmon-bearing.
Named after Abe Miller who settled this land, Abe’s Creek crossing part of the property gathers waters from several smaller streams that are its tributaries.
Other water features include 6 spring-fed ponds:
● Corral Meadow Pond with Red Footed and yellow Footed Frogs and Pacific Pond Turtles
● Grand Meadow Pond
● Miller Pond
● Elk Meadow Pond
● Settlers Pond
● Nameless Pond – waiting to be named by next owner
Flora and fauna
Winter Springs Ranch offers a unique blend of natural beauty and diverse wildlife. The property's rich biodiversity, including an elk herd, diverse bird species, aquatic life, and various mammals, creates a natural sanctuary. The opportunity for foraging and enjoying the native flora adds to the appeal of Winter Springs Ranch. Pick blackberries and hunt for mushrooms in our forests. It is an idyllic retreat for those who appreciate and want to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. The presence of such a varied range of wildlife represents a well-preserved and intentionally ecologically balanced environment.
A resident elk herd roams the property year-round. In the spring and early summer they calf their young in the aptly named Elk Meadow.
Mallards, wood ducks, merganser ducks, and Buffalo Heads can be found bathing in ponds that are scattered naturally throughout the Ranch.
Red and yellow footed frogs and the protected Pacific pond turtle inhabit the Corral Meadow Pond.
See owls, variety of hawks, bald eagles, osprey, quail, blue and night herons, and white egrets.
Variety of song birds nest here and send their cheerful songs into the air.
Deer, bears, cougars, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, turkeys, grouse, and quail enjoy this natural habitat.
The flora and fauna native to the region thrives here.
Agriculture
Since the land was homesteaded, Winter Springs Ranch, while not officially organically certified, continues to be organic in nature. Sustainability and self-sufficiency is at the heart of the Ranch.
With the consistency of water and the security of water rights, there is a great number of possibilities for income flow:
Farming of organic food
Bottling of spring water
Growing and harvesting hay from the meadows
Grazing farm animals: sheep, goats, and cattle
Dairy farming
Viniculture: The southern facing slopes are ideal for the cultivation of grapevines for winemaking.
