Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Introduction The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves was statutorily established in 1975, it is the smallest and the newest of the land-managing divisions within the Department of Natural Resources. The Division operates a statewide system of state nature preserves, natural areas and scenic rivers, protecting the best remaining examples of Ohio's natural heritage. There are three programs in the Division - nature preserves, scenic rivers, and botanical inventory and monitoring. The Division administers the Natural Areas Act, Endangered Plant Law, Cave Protection Act and Ohio Scenic Rivers Act.