Pine Point Research Natural Area

Pine Point Research 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 1932 and consists of convert|1239|acre|km2 of land. It is located in Cass County, Minnesota and is part of the Chippewa National Forest. [ Northern Research Station website [http://nrs.fs.fed.us/rna/mn/chippewa/pine-point/] ]

Ecology

Pine Point is a forested area that consists mostly of Jack pine and Red pine, as well as areas of meadow. It also contains a 24 acre lake and convert|493|acre|km2 of marshland.

White-tailed deer ("Odocoileus virginianus"), black bear ("Ursus americanus"), snowshoe rabbit ("Lepus americanus"), and North American porcupine ("Erethizon dorsatum") are common in the area.

Natural Landmark designation

The area has been designated a National Natural Landmark under the Historic Sites Act.cite web | title = Pine Point Research Natural Area | work = NNL Guide-Minnesota | publisher = National Park Service | url = http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/Registry/USA_Map/States/Minnesota/NNL/PP/index.cfm | accessdate = 2008-09-26 ] It received this designation in May 1975 from the United States Secretary of the Interior, giving it recognition as an outstanding example of the nation's natural history. [cite web | title = Overview, National Natural Landmarks | work = Nature & Science | publisher = National Park Service | url = http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/ | accessdate = 2008-09-26] The designation describes it as containing "undisturbed stands of red pine and mixed pine that have been protected for over 70 years, as well as bald eagle and osprey nests".

References