A Natural Area, as defined by the law, is “an area of land or water, or both land and water, whether in public or private ownership, which either retains or has reestablished its natural character (although it need not be undisturbed), or has unusual flora or fauna, or has biotic, geological, scenic or archaeological features of scientific or educational value.”

By being designated a Natural Area, the property is formally recognized as being a place in the State where the vegetation community and habitat is exceptional. This can include being habitat for rare species or having unusual or specimen geological features, cultural resources, and/or archaeological features present.

The DNREC Office of Nature Preserves works closely with the Division of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Programs, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Delaware Geological Survey and other appropriate resource professionals. To designate a state-recognized Natural Area, this team evaluates each site based on its vegetation community and habitat, species rarity, geological features, cultural resources, and archaeological features.

The state follows a set of guidelines and established criteria approved in 2010 when evaluating lands for inclusion as state-recognized Natural Areas.

From Natural Area to Nature Preserve – The Process

Once an area has been formally included on the State Registry of Natural Areas, the landowner (public or privately owned land) can voluntarily permanently preserve all or a portion of the Natural Area by dedicating it as a State Nature Preserve. Legal documentation, a conservation easement or articles of dedication, identifies restrictions on the property ensuring the protection of the conservation values specific to the site. Conservation values are defined as the “natural, geological, or archaeological features specific to each Nature Preserve.”

The purpose of dedicating property as a Nature Preserve is to permanently protect important features of the natural, geological and/or archaeological heritage of Delaware and guarantee their existence for future generations.

Many Nature Preserves on public land are open to the public for passive recreation. Many are part of Delaware State Parks and offer a variety of experiences for visitors. Natural areas may be dedicated as Nature Preserves through articles of dedication or conservation easements.

To learn more about dedicating your property as a Nature Preserve, contact the Office of Nature Preserves at 302-739-9235.