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 560 State Natural Areas encompassing 323,000 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.
Site protection is accomplished by several means, including land acquisition
from willing sellers, donations, conservation easements, and cooperative agreements.
Areas owned by other government agencies, educational institutions, and private
conservation organizations are brought into the natural area system by formal
agreements between the DNR and the landowner. The SNA Program owes much of its
success to agreements with partners like The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest
Service, local Wisconsin land trusts, and county governments.
Learn More...
Featured State Natural Area
Hemlock Draw, Sauk County - SNA No. 535
Situated along Honey Creek, Hemlock Draw is a narrow gorge of sandstone and
conglomerate rock that supports species with more northerly affinities. Dense
stands of hemlock and yellow birch line the stream and gorge and shelter many
northern forest plants such as several club-moss species. Sedges, skunk cabbage,
and witch hazel also grow along the flat-bottomed draw. As part of the Baraboo
Hills landscape, this site contains important breeding and migratory habitat
for many bird species. 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)
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