Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas

Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) are public lands in the state of Minnesota that have been permanently protected to preserve any one or combination of the following: The SNA Program is housed within the Division of Ecological and Water Resources at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The primary goal of the program is to ensure that none of Minnesota's natural heritage is lost from any ecological region of the state. The secondary goal is to provide opportunities for compatible scientific research, education, and nature-based recreation. The Program currently oversees 166 SNAs.
 * Native plant and animal communities
 * Rare species
 * Places of biodiversity significance
 * Geological features or formations
 * Seasonal havens for wildlife and vantage points for observing them
 * Successional processes
 * Relict flora or fauna
 * Fossil evidence