RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2015

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Research natural areas form a national network of ecological areas designated in perpetuity for non-manipulative research, education, and biodiversity conservation. RNA are selected to preserve a spectrum of relatively pristine areas that represent a wide range of natural variability within important natural ecosystems and environments (coniferous forest, shrubland, grassland, alpine, aquatic, and geological environments), and areas that have special or unique characteristics of scientific importance.

Research Natural Areas (RNA)

One RNA, Upper Pine Creek, was established in 1931 and is contained within the Black Elk Wilderness Four new RNA were designated in the Phase II Amendment of the Forest Plan

• Hay Creek in Crook County, Wyoming • Fanny/Boles in Custer County, South Dakota • Canyon City in Pennington County, South Dakota • North Fork Castle Creek in Pennington County, South

Dakota These four areas were formally established in September of 2011

History of Black Hills RNA

Non-motorized dispersed recreation On-road motorized vehicles use is authorized in some areas; however other areas are designated Roadless Areas Minimal timber harvest only when necessary to maintain, restore or enhance ecological values Livestock grazing if it does not conflict with the ecological values No new mineral material permits

Activities Allowed in Botanical Areas per the Forest Plan

Dispersed Recreation: Non-motorized / Non-mechanized dispersed use including hunting and fishing is allowed without developments such as trails or signs Research: Research methods are nondestructive and non-manipulative Education: Opportunities are available to learn about natural processes using methods that are nondestructive and non-manipulative Transportation: Foot and horse travel only Vegetation Management: Vegetation management including livestock grazing is used only as needed to conserve the biological characteristics for which the RNA was established using methods with the least impact on desired RNA ecological processes All lease applications will have “no surface occupancy” stipulation No mineral material permits will be issued

Activities Allowed in RNA per the Forest Plan Botanical Areas

Botanical management areas may be located in a number of places throughout the Forest. The environmental conditions in which they exist may differ from each other; however, the thread common to all of them is that they exhibit plant communities, associations and/or individual species of particular interest

History of Black Hills Botanical Areas

Eight areas were designated as Botanical Areas in the Black Hills National Forest Plan

• Bear & Beaver Gulches in Lawrence County, South Dakota

• Black Fox in Lawrence and Pennington Counties, South Dakota

• Dugout Gulch in Crook County, Wyoming • Englewood Springs in Lawrence County, South Dakota • Higgins Gulch in Lawrence County, South Dakota • McIntosh Fen in Pennington County, South Dakota • North Fork Castle Creek in Pennington County, South

Dakota • Upper Sand Creek in Crook County, Wyoming

Botanical Areas on the Black Hills National Forest

Black Hills National Forest What are Research Natural Areas and Botanical Areas?

Research Natural Areas on the Black Hills National Forest

North Fork Castle Creek Research Natural and Botanical Area C. Monks