Washington Natural Areas Program
Encyclopedia
The Washington Natural Areas Program, part of the Washington Department of Natural Resources
, manages dozens of natural areas owned by the US
state of Washington. These areas have received funding through the state's general fund since the Washington State Legislature
enacted the Natural Areas Preserve Act in 1972. As of January 2010, there are 52 Natural Area Preserves and 29 Natural Resources Conservation Areas. The program's goals are to protect rare and outstanding examples of Washington's widely varied ecosystem
s, maintain the state's biological diversity, support education and scientific research, and provide public opportunities for low-impact recreation.
Washington Department of Natural Resources
The Washington Department of Natural Resources manage over of forest, range, agricultural, and commercial lands for the people of Washington State. DNR also manages of aquatic areas which include shorelines, tidelands, lands under Puget Sound and the coast, and navigable lakes and rivers...
, manages dozens of natural areas owned by the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Washington. These areas have received funding through the state's general fund since the Washington State Legislature
Washington State Legislature
The Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bipartisan, bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, composed of 98 Representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate, with 49 Senators.The State Legislature...
enacted the Natural Areas Preserve Act in 1972. As of January 2010, there are 52 Natural Area Preserves and 29 Natural Resources Conservation Areas. The program's goals are to protect rare and outstanding examples of Washington's widely varied ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
s, maintain the state's biological diversity, support education and scientific research, and provide public opportunities for low-impact recreation.