Seventeen streams have been given BSS designation. Most are small, clear streams which run over sand, gravel, and rock substrates. The Shawnee Hills RRA ranks third in number of Heritage occurrences with 255 sites. There are four large forest tracts and two rookeries. The Shawnee Hills RRA has the highest percentage of state and federal ownership of the RRAs.
State land consists of two state parks and one conservation area.
Lusk Creek Canyon, the only Nature Preserve in this site, is a large canyon with high sandstone cliffs and a high quality stream.