Well designed natural areas encompass those ecological features necessary for the survival of native plants and animals. Habitat restoration involves the return of specific habitat features to the environment and the removal of invasive non-native species. Hydrologic restoration allows for the natural flow of water through a wetland or along a waterway, thus encouraging certain plants and animals to inhabit an area. Prescribed burning is the carefully planned use of fire to enhance seed germination and make space and nutrients available for new growth in fire dependent natural areas, such as longleaf pine-turkey oak sandhills. Research aimed at understanding the natural history, biology and population dynamics of a rare species or how an ecosystem functions is essential for sound management.
Monitoring is a tool used to assess the trends of natural communities and rare species.
It can help determine if natural processes essential to their continued existence are occurring. Monitoring also informs stewards if management activities have been successful. Click to see the staff of the Natural Areas Stewardship section.