Natural Environment Area (Maryland)
Encyclopedia
A Natural Environment Area (NEA) is a unit of the Maryland State Park Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
. These public lands are generally 1000 acres (4 km²) or more in extent and are judged to constitute a “significant natural attraction or unique geological feature”. Development within an NEA is generally confined to trails, interpretive facilities and limited support facilities.
In contradistinction to Maryland Wildlands, which may only be established or removed by an act of the Maryland General Assembly
, NEAs are designated by the DNR. (The more restrictive and protective designation of a Maryland Wildland, however, is sometimes established within an NEA.)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is a government agency in the state of Maryland charged with maintaining natural resources such as the 66 state parks, public lands, state forests, state waterways, wildlife and recreation areas....
. These public lands are generally 1000 acres (4 km²) or more in extent and are judged to constitute a “significant natural attraction or unique geological feature”. Development within an NEA is generally confined to trails, interpretive facilities and limited support facilities.
In contradistinction to Maryland Wildlands, which may only be established or removed by an act of the Maryland General Assembly
Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
, NEAs are designated by the DNR. (The more restrictive and protective designation of a Maryland Wildland, however, is sometimes established within an NEA.)
List of Maryland NEAs
- Belt Woods Natural Environment AreaBelt WoodsBelt Woods is a nature reserve in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA, containing the “South Woods”, a woodland which constitutes one of the last stands of virgin hardwood forest on the Atlantic coastal plain. It is a mere east of Washington, DC. Many of its white oaks and tulip poplars are...
- Dundee Natural Environment Area
- Governor Parris N. Glendening Natural Environment Area
- Mattawoman Natural Environment Area
- Morgan Run Natural Environment AreaMorgan Run Natural Environment Area-External links:*...
- Severn Run Natural Environment Area
- Soldiers Delight Natural Environment AreaSoldiers DelightSoldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area is a nature reserve near Owings Mills in western Baltimore County, Maryland, USA. The site is designated both a Maryland Wildland and a Natural Environment Area and is part of the Maryland Wildlands Preservation System...
- Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area
External links
- The Maryland Wildlands Preservation System webpage at the Maryland DNR Website
- Land Unit Types at the Maryland DNR Website