 Enews Signup
 Printer Friendly
 Send Page to Friend
|
What are Natural Areas?
The lands held within the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission's System of Natural Areas represent some of the best remaining examples of many of the state's natural communities. Natural areas such as Railroad and Roth Prairies protect some of the last remaining acres of tallgrass prairie in the Grand Prairie region of eastern Arkansas. Gap Creek Natural Area and Cossatot State Park - Natural Area preserve high-quality examples of Ouachita Mountains upland streams. Terre Noire Natural Area represents one of the best remaining tracts of blackland prairie in the state. Natural areas such as these, and many others, all across the state protect the rarest elements of Arkansas' natural heritage.
Along with representing fragments of Arkansas' natural heritage, these natural areas also comprise vital habitat for a host of plant and animal species. As natural communities such as tallgrass prairie and sandstone glades have become scarce, so too have the plant and animal species dependent upon these habitats. The natural communities protected within Arkansas' System of Natural Areas provide vital habitat for large number of rare species, some of which are now endangered or threatened.
When visiting an ANHC natural area, please remember to leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photographs, with the exception of legally taken game and fish. Please limit travel within natural areas to foot traffic only to minimize erosion and disturbance to sensitive habitats. Motorized vehicles, horses, camping, and construction of permanent hunting stands are prohibited on ANHC natural areas.
