State Natural Areas Program

State Natural Areas (SNAs) protect outstanding examples of Wisconsin's native landscape of natural communities, significant geological formations and archeological sites. Wisconsin's 602 State Natural Areas encompassing 326,000 acres are valuable for research and educational use, the preservation of genetic and biological diversity, and for providing benchmarks for determining the impact of use on managed lands. They also provide some of the last refuges for rare plants and animals. In fact, more than 90% of the plants and 75% of the animals on Wisconsin's list of endangered and threatened species are protected on SNAs. Learn More...

Featured State Natural Area

Tunnel Channel Woods, Polk County

One of the newest State Natural Areas is Tunnel Channel Woods. Located within Straight Lake Wildlife Area and State Park, this site supports an extensive, second-growth dry-mesic forest with scattered ephemeral ponds and kettle wetlands. The forest supports numerous rare species, including several Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Two state-threatened bird species are also found here: the cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea) and red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus). During a June 2006 survey, very high densities of Ceruleans were found. This is unusual anywhere in the state but particularly at a site this far north. More common bird species usually associated with “southern”habitats include yellow-throated vireo, wood thrush, and blue-gray gnatcatcher. Learn more...

State Natural Area Guidebook:

Wisconsin, naturally features 150 of our finest State Natural Areas. This award-winning publication contains site descriptions, photos, and driving directions. Order yours today!

Related Sites

• Natural Resources Foundation (exit DNR)
• The Nature Conservancy (exit DNR)
• Gathering Waters (exit DNR)
• Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (exit DNR)