The Duluth News Tribune
www.duluthnews.com

September 26, 2000

The state Department of Natural Resources has designated 16 sites as state natural areas that will be shielded from development forever.

Together the sites cover nearly 2,400 acres and significantly expand the state's natural areas program, bringing the number of protected regions to 102.

The sites have been given the highest level of protection available, DNR Secretary George Meyer said Monday.

``Even by legislative act, they cannot be sold to someone who would not protect them,'' Meyer said.

The newly dedicated natural areas are scattered from the Mississippi River to the Kettle Moraine to Madeline Island in Lake Superior.

Scientists can study the environment at the sites, and tourists can visit the areas to see unique plants and animals, Meyer said.

All 16 natural areas are within 13 state parks and forests, but Meyer said Wisconsin's history of selling off state park land illustrates the need for further protection.

State natural areas have escaped most human disturbance.

Meyer said they illustrate the diversity of Wisconsin's pre-settlement landscape, offering refuge to endangered plants and animals.

State officials dedicated the sites last week to celebrate the park system's centennial. Officials also will create a major new state park this year.

16 newly designated state natural areas:

• Big Bay Sand Spit and Bog in Big Bay State Park, Ashland County.
• Brady's Bluff Prairie in Perrot State Park, Trempeleau County.
• Centennial Glade in Interstate State Park, Polk County.
• Dewey Heights Prairie in Nelson Dewey State Park, Grant County.
• Haskell-Noyes Memorial Woods in Kettle Moraine State Forest, Fond du Lac County.
• Interstate Lowland Forest in Interstate State Park, Polk County.
• Kettle Moraine Low Prairie and Scuppernong Prairie in Kettle Moraine State Forest, Waukesha County.
• La Crosse River Trail inPrairie, La Crosse and Monroe counties.
• Mount Pisgah Hemlock-Hardwoods in Wildcat Mountain State Park, Vernon County.
• Natural Bridge and Rockshelter in Natural Bridge State Park, Sauk County.
• Newport Conifer-Hardwoods in Newport State Park, Door County.
• Parfrey's Glen in Devil's Lake State Park, Sauk County.
• Point Beach Ridges in Point Beach State Forest, Manitowoc County.
• Spruce Lake Bog in Kettle Moraine State Forest, Fond du Lac County.
• Wyalusing Hardwood Forest in Wyalusing State Park, Grant County.