Idaho's Natural Areas and Conservation Sites
The Idaho Conservation Data Center (IDCDC) maintains data base records containing scientific and ecological information on over 600 conservation sites and natural areas in Idaho. Each data base record describes the sites location, biological significance, protection status and stewardship concerns. Boundaries of sites may correspond to or include areas with special management or designation such as Wildlife Management Areas or Research Natural Areas (RNA). Conservation sites and natural areas are landscape units of scientific and ecological interest. They represent a variety of ecosystems and habitats in Idaho including areas that support high quality examples of native plant communities, unique geologic or ecologic processes, or habitat for rare plants or animals.
Conservation sites can be used to monitor the effects of management activities, as reference areas, and as units for conservation planning. One of the goals of the U. S. Forest Service RNA program is to develop a network of sites containing biological and physical characteristics that represent the natural range of variability within a region for research and education. Conservation sites may serve as reference areas to monitor results of management or restoration activities. Conservation sites have been used to focus protection activities to those areas with high biological significance. The goal for conservation sites and natural areas is to maintain existing ecological processes and functions. In some cases stewardship actions, such as enhancement or restoration, are appropriate.
How to Request Information on Natural Areas and Conservation Sites