Sylvan
Dale is located in the foothills transition zone between
the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. Because
of its location the ranch includes a surprising diversity
of habitats: ponderosa pine woodland, Douglas-fir forest, Mountain Mahogany shrublands, mountain meadows,
foothills grasslands, riparian communities along the
Big Thompson River and its tributaries, and canyons. Over 100 species of butterflies, 7 amphibians, 15 reptiles
(only the western rattlesnake is poisonous), 250 species
of birds, and 70 kinds of mammals, including elk, mule
deer, whitetail deer, black bear, couger, bobcat, fox,
coyote, beaver, muskrat, and bighorn sheep.
Our
resident naturalist has prepared pamphlets on these
natural wonders, which are available in the office.
