Minnesota has a unique system of preserves called Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA).  This special system exists for a variety of reasons.  Researchers wanted to preserve natural plant and animal materials for future development and for the study of natural processes.  They also recognized the need to preserve genetic material.   Initial background reports on potential areas were compiled by the Minnesota Academy of Sciences and the Nature Conservancy and presented to the Minnesota State Congress in 1965.  Recommendations were also taken from local agriculturists, teachers, and foresters.   Based on these reports and recommendations, it was decided that there was a need for a statewide system of preserves.   The SNA program was officially created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1969 (2 Minnesota 1965).   In 1975, the program adopted the following as its mission statement:

     “To preserve and perpetuate the ecological diversity of Minnesota's natural heritage, including landforms, fossil remains, plant and animal communities, rare and endangered species, or other biotic features and geological formations, for scientific study and public edification as components of a healthy environment.”

SNAs are chosen through a specified site selection process.  First, data from the site is collected and analyzed.  Much of this work is now done by the Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS).  The MCBS identifies potential natural habitats
by interpreting aerial photography and satellite imagery.  After this, they conduct an intense ground survey to document the occurrence of rare plants, animals, and natural communities.  All work is stored in the Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program database.  This database guides all DNR land purchases.  In the case of SNAs, a prospective site undergoes more evaluation after the initial MCBS report.  The sites are then reviewed by the Commissioner' Advisory Committee, which guides the selection process through to the end.

Once a site has been selected, it must be protected.   Protection polices and regulations differ slightly for each case.  The SNA program receives land through land purchases, private giving, the Prairie Bank Program, and the Nature Conservancy.   However the land is acquired, all SNAs are purposely undeveloped.   They have no trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, logging, mineraling, or cultivation (MN DNR 1999).  Having no trails means that visitors must be extra careful where they choose to step, for both the sake of the ecosystem and themselves.  Because there are no added bonuses for humans in SNAs, management does not focus on "people management" as much.  However, SNAs can lack the natural processes that their ecosystems require.  Management may include prescribed burning, exotic species control, restoration, or collaboration with other angelicas (MN DNR 2004).   Any management issues are handled by the Minnesota DNR and much of the hands on work is done by volunteers (Minnesota DNR 1999).

The SNA program has come a long way since the 1960s.  In 1965, there were fifteen natural areas in thirteen counties (2 Minnesota 1965).  Today there are 136 SNAs in 56 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.  To accurately preserve biodiversity and unique features, the DNR estimates that 500 SNAs are needed throughout the state.  Since 40% of rare features in Minnesota occur in prairies, 200 would be needed in the prairie biome, 135 in the deciduous woods, and 165 in the coniferous woods.  Currently, the MCBS has completed surveys of 35 counties and have sixteen more in the process (Minnesota DNR 1999). Locally, the 1965 survey recommended two sites in Goodhue County, one site in Dakota County, no sites in LeSueur County, and four sites in Rice County (2 Minnesota 1965).  Today there are eleven sites in those four counties:

   The Cannon River Turtle Preserve is an 836-acre preserve on the banks of the Cannon River.  It is located in Goodhue County and lies within the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest.  It was created in 1985 to preserve nesting sites for the state threatened wood turtle.  According to Minnesota law, a species is considered threatened if it is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout  or a significant part of its range within Minnesota.  A species is considered endangered if it is threatened with extinction.  The wood turtle is found mainly in the northeast part of the state, but is not considered abundant anywhere.  It has a naturally low reproductive potential and has suffered from a loss of habitat.  River disturbances and traffic are also cited as threats to this turtle.  Human caused land use changes have expanded the ranges of skunks and raccoons, two natural predators of the wood turtle.  The wood turtle prefers small, fast moving streams of water in forested areas with grassy banks and sand bars (Buech and Nelson 1991).  Because of this, the sand bars at this SNA are off limits to human visitors (MN DNR 2004). 

A study conducted in 1996 by the DNR’s Non-game program found one nesting turtle and sixteen potential nesting sites with no turtles present.  No estimates have been made of the total number of turtle in the SNA, or other areas in Minnesota.  However, the fact that only one nesting turtle was located in the 1996 study suggests that the state's population may be declining.  More studies (and funding for such studies) are needed for a full assessment.  For the sake of the nesting turtles, location names have been deleted from DNR studies available to the public (Dahl 1996).    

The best times to visit the turtle preserve are during the spring before the mosquitoes hatch and in autumn to see the fall colors.  The spring is also a great time to view spring ephemerals (Minnesota DNR 1999).  The turtle preserve is best accessed by the Cannon River Trail or by canoe.  Although hiking is permitted, the land can be wet during spring and summer.  Click here for a map of the area.

                                

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