Natural Property Types
When you are looking for natural places to visit, you might notice words like preserve, reserve, sanctuary, and so on. What does do these terms mean?
Let’s take a look at the Merriam-Webster dictionary meaning of each to start as our base and then follow it up with defined meanings from nature organizations across the country. You can find our blog post that lists at least one natural place in each city or town in Massachusetts here.
Preserve: : to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect -
”A nature preserve (or nature reserve) is a setting where diverse plants, animals, fungi and geological landmarks are conserved. Like a livable museum, a nature preserve offers a home to wildlife undisturbed by building developments or other human features that might threaten their way of life. It provides a protected home for animals, conserves watersheds and gives ecological systems a chance to live and develop organically, all while allowing others to observe nature in its nearly primordial form” (Different Types…, 2024).
Reserve: : to hold in reserve : keep back -
”Managed strictly for biodiversity conservation. Serves as reference sites for research and monitoring. Human visitations and impacts highly regulated” (Wilson & Primack, 1992).
Sanctuary: : a place of refuge and protection -
”A sanctuary is a space where animals are guaranteed comfort and protection for the rest of their lives; unlike a zoo, it doesn’t allow for the trading of animals. In stark contrast to wildlife refuges, sanctuaries also strictly prohibit any forms of hunting or fishing on their premises. Unlike national parks, they’re not usually open to the public or paid visits since they tend to house endangered species that require extra protection” (Different Types…, 2024).
Refuge: : shelter or protection from danger or distress -
”Wildlife refuges (or game refuges) focus on preserving and restoring animals and their habitats through public land and water. Visitors can see wildlife in its most natural form and even interact with it.
Unlike national parks, visitors can usually hunt, fish and trap on the premises, which helps with population management for certain species, such as deer. The area has firm hunting policies so visitors can have a recreation space without hindering the refuge’s preservation efforts. However, while national parks allow camping, most wildlife refuges don’t” (Different Types…, 2024).
Arboretum: : a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes -
“The Arboretum helps to conserve natural resources and biodiversity by participating in a wide variety of collaborative and institutional initiatives that further plant conservation efforts worldwide” (Plant Conservation…, 2024).
Watershed: : a region or area bounded peripherally by a divide and draining ultimately to a particular watercourse or body of water -
“Rain and snow fall into watersheds that are ecosystems themselves. A healthy watershed naturally filters and stores water, prevents flooding and impedes wildfires, and conserves habitat” (Watersheds…,2024).
State/National Park/Forest: : an area of land that is owned and protected by a U.S. state or federal government because of its natural beauty or its importance in history -
”Large natural areas set aside for protection of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Also managed to support human activities (spiritual, education, scientific, recreation) compatible with biodiversity protection” (Wilson & Primack, 1992).
Reservation: : something reserved: such as
a: a tract of public land set aside (as for use by American Indians)
b: an area in which hunting is not permitted
especially : one set aside as a secure breeding place
“Nature reserves are large areas of land that have been set aside to protect and preserve natural habitat and ecosystems for common, rare and endangered animal and plants species and their natural processes” (Jaynes, 2023).
Conservation Area/Land: : an area of land that is protected and that cannot be built on or used for certain purposes -
“National conservation areas are public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management that are set aside for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations: (America’s Public Lands…, 2023).
Wildlife Management Area: : an often large tract of public land maintained essentially in its natural state and protected against introduction of intrusive artifacts (such as roads and buildings) -
”Generally large and relatively unmodified natural areas without significant human habitations. Managed to preserve the area’s natural character and ecological integrity” (Wilson & Primack, 1992).
References:
America’s public lands explained. U.S. Department of the Interior. (2023, January 31). https://www.doi.gov/blog/americas-public-lands-explained
Arnold Arboretum. (2024, March 12). Plant conservation. Arnold Arboretum. https://arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/plant-conservation/
Jaynes, C. H. (2023, October 19). Nature reserves 101: Everything you need to know. EcoWatch. https://www.ecowatch.com/nature-reserves-facts-ecowatch.html
Manager, R. R. P. (2024, June 27). Different types of protected wildlife areas: Ranger Ridge: TX. Different Types of Protected Wildlife Areas | Ranger Ridge | TX. https://www.rangerridge.com/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-protected-wildlife-areas
United States Department of Agriculture. (2024, November 5). Watersheds. Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/watersheds
Wilson, J. W., & Primack, R. B. (1992, January 1). Biological Aspects of Conservation. Conserving Biodiversity: A Research Agenda for Development Agencies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234667/
