Keeley Creek Natural Area

Keeley Creek Natural Area is a natural area that is protected by the United States Department of Agriculture, specifically through the branch of the Forest Service. It was established in 1942 and consists of convert|640|acre|km2 of land.cite web | title = Northern Research Stations | publisher = U. S. Forest Service | url = http://nrs.fs.fed.us/rna/established/ | accessdate 2007-12-17] Citation | last = LeBarron | first = Russell | title = The Keeley Creek and Lac la Croix Natural Areas | date = 1942-05-10 | url = http://nrs.fs.fed.us/rna/documents/establishment/mn_superior_keeley_creek_lac_lacroix.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-12-18. Recommendation, Order of L.F. Kniep, Acting Chief Forester.] It is located in Lake County, Minnesota and is part of the Superior National Forest.

Ecology

Keeley Creek is a forested area that consists mainly of native fir trees including mostly Jackpine and Black Spruce.cite web | title = Keeley Creek subpage | publisher = U. S. Forest Service | url = http://nrs.fs.fed.us/rna/mn/superior/keeley-creek/ | accessdate = 2007-12-17] White-tailed deer, snowshoe rabbit, and ruffed grouse are common in the area.

Designation as National Natural Landmark

In February 1980 the United States Secretary of the Interior designated Keeley Creek Natural Area as a National Natural Landmark under the Historic Sites Act.cite web | title = Keeley Creek Natural Area | work = NNL Guide-Minnesota | publisher = National Park Service | url = http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/Registry/USA_Map/States/Minnesota/NNL/KC/index.cfm | accessdate = 2007-12-18 ] This designation recognizes the area as an outstanding example of the United States' natural history. [cite web | title = Overview, National Natural Landmarks | work = Nature & Science | publisher = National Park Service | url = http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/ | accessdate = 2007-12-17] The National Park Service describes the area as "a large tract of undisturbed mixed pine and black spruce forest with rare mature jackpine stands and significant upland bogs".

References