A view of forested hills and ridgelines stretches across the landscape at Windswept Ranch near Willits, Calif., under a clear blue sky. Evergreen trees fill the foreground, with layered mountains and valleys visible in the distance.
Forestland at Windswept Ranch near Willits, Calif. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. The 219-acre property along the Eel River was recently protected through a conservation easement held by the Mendocino Land Trust. (Mendocino Land Trust via Bay City News)

MENDOCINO CO., 2/3/26 – The Mendocino Land Trust announced Monday that it has protected 219 acres of forest along the Eel River east of Willits through a conservation easement completed earlier this year.  

The protected land, known as Windswept Ranch, includes about three-quarters of a mile of river frontage. The Eel River is designated as a federal and state Wild and Scenic River and is an important habitat for Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead and Pacific lamprey. 

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Sarah Stierch covers breaking news and more for The Mendocino Voice. Reach her at sarah@mendovoice.com.