Natural Areas Association (NAA) is an association of scientists and practitioners focused on the management of ecologically significant natural landscapes with the intent to protect biodiversity for current and future generations. Natural Areas News is just one of the ways NAA shares current events, reliable science, conservation success, emerging challenges, best practices, and achievements of those who work daily to preserve natural areas.

Protecting urban natural areas

The fragmentation of natural habitats by urbanization often results in small and isolated remnants that lead to the degeneration of ecosystem services and a loss of biodiversity. Learn More from the study, Modeling the effects of landscape patterns of current forests on the habitat quality of historical remnants in a highly urbanized area.

You can also further explore this topic when you Register for NAA's Upcoming Workshop, Urban Treasures: Restoration & Management of High-Value Remnant Natural Areas. This hands-on field workshop will take place Aug. 22 - 23, 2023, in Kansas City, MO. Capacity is limited.

Lawrence ecologist’s mission rooted in Kansas prairie restoration efforts

Ecologist Courtney Masterson, a leading expert on prairies in northeast Kansas, has dedicated herself to restoring the beauty, abundance and ecological balance that once defined this region. Learn More.

How kelp seed banks are working to save biodiversity and Indigenous traditions

Warming water and other factors have been killing kelp, so the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is building an emergency fund to ensure their future in the tribe’s traditional territory. Learn More.

Air pollution monitoring

may have accidentally helped

scientists track biodiversity

Air quality control stations filter air through paper disks to track hazardous pollutants. Scientists report they have collected plant and animal DNA that would normally have been scattered in the wind. Learn More.

Photo courtesy of Chris Best, USFWS, Public Domain

Rare Texas plant proposed for endangered species protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed protecting the Navasota false foxglove (Agalinis navasotensis) as an endangered species. This wildflower is known to exist in just three locations on 1.9 acres spread across eastern Texas. Learn More.

How NASA satellites help track biodiversity on Earth

To protect biodiversity, scientists use NASA data to track ecosystem changes and to develop tools for conserving life on land, in our ocean, and in freshwater ecosystems. Learn More.

New Mexico boosts its efforts to legally protect rare plants

With a slight clarification in the state’s endangered plants rules, New Mexico has expanded legal protections of rare plants. Now, even harming a protected plant could result in jail time. Learn More.