The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is located at the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains in southwest Riverside County, near the city of Murrieta. The Reserve consists of 8,300 acres and protects unique ecosystems like Engelmann oak woodlands, riparian wetlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, bunchgrass prairie and vernal pools. The Reserve protects one of the finest examples of bunchgrass prairie remaining in California with springtime flower displays of chocolate lilies, California poppies, and thread leaf brodiaea. Springtime also makes available a large vernal pool to visitors accessible by a boardwalk onto this extremely rare type of wetland. Some animal species protected on the Reserve include mule deer, mountain lion, badger, bobcat, western pond turtle, white-tailed kites and fairy shrimp. Visitors to the Reserve can enjoy the oldest standing structures in Riverside County that once served as bunkhouses for cowboys dating back to 1846. These two adobe structures remain shaded by a 400 year old tree and separated by a relaxing, one-of-a-kind, picnic area. Other recreational activities include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and attending interpretive programs. (Horseback riding and mountain biking are restricted to the Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use Area of the Plateau.) Riverside County Regional Parks and Open Space District manages all visitor services, including 40 miles of trails, a Visitor Center and interpretive programming. The California Department of Fish and Game is responsible for resource management such as prescribed fire and habitat restoration.