What kinds of places are likely to be designated a "Duluth Natural Area"?
How will a Duluth Natural Area be different from a City park?
How will the parcel nomination and site management plan approval process work?
Who can nominate a parcel?
What funding is available for the City to manage these natural areas?
Have other cities created a natural areas program?
What is the purpose of a management plan for each natural area?
Who pays for the qualified professional who writes the site nomination and management plan?
Who would monitor the City natural areas? How about easements on private land?

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What kinds of places are likely to be designated a "Duluth Natural Area"? The program focuses on discrete areas containing ecological attributes. The focus is not on recreation areas (these may warrant a different kind of program). The program endeavors to protect the natural heritage of Duluth, characterized by native plant communities, areas having special species of plants and animals, special water features, areas important to birds, and unique geologic formations. Though areas have yet to be nominated and run through the Program Guidelines, some examples of candidate areas may include:

How will a Duluth Natural Area be different from a City park? Designated "Duluth Natural Areas" are discrete portions within City ownership having outstanding ecological characteristics that represent the natural heritage of Duluth. These areas will be maintained primarily for their ecological function. The DNAP is not focused on recreation parks. The program also enables private and other public owners to participate. City-owned Natural Areas will be open to the public. It is possible that portions of City parks could be designated a DNAP if an area has outstanding ecological characteristics. DNAP designation does not change the land's status as a City park or other status. However, although open to the public, it is unlikely a newly acquired DNAP would be designated a "City park" because recreational use is the not the primary purpose.

How will the parcel nomination and site management plan approval process work? The Department of Planning and Development, which coordinates the process, first receives all nominations for natural areas and site management plans. The nomination and management plan approval process is open to any person or public body to comment. For a site to be completely protected under the DNAP it must go through a two step process. First the site must be deemed eligible from an ecological standpoint. And second, a site management plan must be drafted by the nominator and reviewed by the public bodies listed below. Both the parcel nomination and site management plan review process starts with the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) who will review the nominated parcel and site management plan to see that it meets the science criteria established in the guidelines. Next, the City Planning Commission (CPC) will review the parcel and management plan to make sure the nomination is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. And finally, the City Council is the legislative authority for the City and will ultimately decide if it is in the City's best interest to enroll a parcel in the DNAP.

Who can nominate a parcel? Nominations for the Program can come from anyone. The cost of nomination is born by the nominator (numerous outside private and public funding sources may be available to assist with nominations). Nominations will need to include proposed sources of funding for immediate management needs, such as signage and trail improvements, acquisitions, etc. Nominations will likely need a team of experts, including appropriate City staff, to help write the nomination and site management plan required by the ordinance. Successful management plans also will vest citizens in implementing a plan over the long term (e.g. Hawk Ridge).

What funding is available for the City to manage these natural areas? A program such as the DNAP presents an opportunity to bring new capital to Duluth, recognizing the statewide and regional significance of Duluth's natural heritage (e.g. Minnesota Coastal Program (federal funds), private foundations such as C.S. Mott and Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, etc.). A number of grants are available from the State of Minnesota, most funded from the Minnesota Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund, through the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR). A listing of grant funding sources can be found at:http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/omb/financial_assistance/index.html.

Have other cities created a natural areas program? Many Twin Cities counties and cities have recently developed plans to protect natural areas in their communities, and are in the process of raising money to purchase lands from willing sellers. The City of Duluth is very fortunate to already own lands that retain Duluth's natural heritage, so it is in a unique position to move forward.

What is the purpose of a management plan for each natural area? The site management plan includes: a map to define the boundaries, an inventory of the natural resources the site will conserve, existing land use within the boundary, adjacent land use, and goals for land stewardship. Examples of land stewardship may include removing non-native invasive species (weeds), trail management and vehicle use, and signs identifying the area as a DNAP and natural communities. Unlike large rural properties, management needs on Duluth natural areas may not be overly complicated. DNAP designation may help attract management funds to a site where funds currently are lacking.

Who pays for the qualified professional who writes the site nomination and management plan? Anyone may nominate a City-owned site for natural areas enrollment. Sites on private or other public land may only be nominated with the consent and approval of the landowner. In each case, the nomination and management plan must be written by qualified professionals with advanced academic degrees related to the natural resource categories for which a property is being nominated. The nominator must arrange for these professional services, whether paid or donated.

Who would monitor the City natural areas? How about easements on private land? Management of designated Duluth Natural Areas is the responsibility of the City, appropriate to the interests it holds on the parcel. Though most designations will occur on City-owned land, the City will be responsible for monitoring conservation easements acquired through the program on private land. Successful nominations may also include citizen groups to help implement a plan. Funding for wild land management is a long-standing issue in Duluth. There is a possibility that funds for planned management activities may continue to be lacking. However, the DNAP may help provide opportunities to attract new funding for land management. The City's responsibilities prior to and after designation do not change significantly - funds needed for any up-front management needs for a new Natural Area are best secured as part of the management plan or designation approval process.

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