
What is Natural Area Registry?
The Natural Area Registry acknowledges that many of Minnesota's finest natural areas occur on public lands not designated as Scientific and Natural Areas. The Registry is a way to recognize natural features of statewide ecological and geological significance on any public land in Minnesota. This voluntary agreement protects areas containing native plant communities, rare species and other outstanding natural features.
Nominating and developing an agreement
Nominated sites are reviewed using information compiled in an ecological evaluation to determine if the site qualifies and if protection through this method is acceptable to all parties. Registration of a site only happens between the land manager and the Scientific and Natural Area Program if all parties approve the agreement. These are non-binding voluntary agreements.
A registry agreement includes:
- Maps identifying the site
- Explanation of the place's significance
- Information on natural features such as native plant communities
- Identifying and recommending management actions
The Scientific and Natural Area Program requests updates from the land manager at least once every other year. Information is kept current on:
- Site conditions
- Significant management activities
- Natural disturbances
- Planned future management
- Changes affecting the registry's natural features
Current Natural Area Registry
Map of Natural Area Registry Sites in Minnesota
List of Natural Area Registry Sites
Natural Area Registry | Manager | County |
---|---|---|
Beaver Creek WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Fillmore |
Bena Bog | MN DNR Forestry Division | Cass |
Cartney WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Mower |
Central Park | City of Bloomington | Hennepin |
Dinosaur Island | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Mille Lacs |
Expandere WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Cottonwood |
Felton WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Clay |
Hemingway Creek Cold Slope Forest | MN DNR Forestry Division | Winona |
Jeffers Petroglyphs | Minnesota Historical Society | Cottonwood |
John A. Latsch State Park | MN DNR Parks and Trails Division | Winona |
Kemen WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Lac Qui Parle |
Kibler WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Lac Qui Parle |
Kimberly Marsh WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Aitkin |
Lake Agnes Northern Hardwoods | MN DNR Forestry Division | Cook |
Larson Lake Bog | MN DNR Forestry Division | Beltrami |
Leroy to Rose Creek Right-of-Way | MN Dept. of Transportation District 6 | Mower |
Money Creek Bluff Forest | MN DNR Forestry Division | Houston |
Nerstrand Woods Trout Lily | MN DNR Parks and Trails Division | Rice |
Oxbow County Park | Olmsted County | Olmsted |
Palisade Head Scenic Overlook | MN DNR Parks and Trails Division | Lake |
Pipestone National Monument | National Park Service | Rock |
Prairie Marshes WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Lyon |
Prairie WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Big Stone |
Reno North | MN DNR Forestry Division | Houston |
Reno South | MN DNR Forestry Division | Houston |
Richter Woods County Park | LeSueur County | LeSueur |
Salt Lake WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Lac Qui Parle |
Sioux Nation WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Yellow Medicine |
Siseebakwet Lake | Itasca County | Itasca |
Soudan Iron Formation | MN DNR Parks and Trails Division | St. Louis |
South Fowl Lake Cliff | MN DNR Forestry Division | Cook |
Spirit and Hennepin Islands | US Fish and Wildlife Service | Mille Lacs |
Spring Creek WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Becker |
Stumpages Rapids | Hubbard County | Hubbard |
Victory WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Big Stone |
Whitewater WMA | MN DNR Wildlife Division | Winona |
Yellow Birch Natural Area | MN DNR Parks and Trails Division | Lake |
Zumbro Bottoms | MN DNR Forestry Division | Wabasha |