The Youngmeyer Ranch is a 1,902-hectare site located in northeast Elk County. Geologically, the site overlies primarily Permian age limestone and shale with layers of chert, and is at a higher elevation than surrounding areas due to uplifting and decreased erosion due to the resistant chert layers. The west side of the site is relatively flat plateau whereas the middle and east side features steep to moderate slopes and ravines that give way to rolling and sloped hillsides. The change in elevation over the site is 115 meters with at least one spring and several natural and artificial ponds.
Based on the GLO records, this site was predominately grassland with scattered black oaks (Quercus velutina) along creeks or a collection of trees in the creek bottoms. The grassland cover was described as varying from nearly absent on very gravelly soils to moderate productivity on more well-developed soils. Although information on site usage is limited, all indications are that the site has been under cattle grazing since the land was settled. For at least the last 20 years, the site has been double stocked for grazing 90-120 days during late spring and summer. For much of this period, the entire site has typically been burned every one to three years. Currently, the tree cover is approximately 99 hectares. There are more than 500 species on plants, 37 species of amphibians and reptiles, and more than 60 bird species known from the property.
