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 607 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

Waterloo Quartzite Outcrops, Dodge County

Waterloo Quartzite Outcrops is one of 5 new State Natural Areas located within the newly created Glacial Heritage Area (GHA) in southern Wisconsin. Originating from the Wisconsin Land Legacy Report, the GHA is a series of parks, preserves, wildlife and natural areas that will provide new opportunities for visitors to enjoy and learn about nature. The Waterloo Quartzite Outcrops consists of two separate geological features with Precambrian red quartzite and Paleozoic conglomerate rock. The southernmost outcrop, Stony Island, is a 23-acre quartzite island in the Crawfish and Maunesha River floodplain. 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)