A Natural Environment Area (NEA) is a unit of the Park Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. These public lands are generally 1,000 acres (4 km2) or more in extent and are judged to constitute a "significant natural attraction or unique geological feature". Development within an NEA is generally confined to trails, interpretive facilities and limited support facilities.

In contradistinction to Maryland Wildlands, which may only be established or removed by an act of the Maryland General Assembly, NEAs are designated by the DNR. (The more restrictive and protective designation of a Maryland Wildland, however, is sometimes established within an NEA.)

List of Maryland NEAs

As of 2016, the state of Maryland managed seven NEAs covering 12,698 acres (51.39 km2) of land.

See also

  • List of Maryland state forests
  • List of Maryland state parks
  • List of Maryland wildlife management areas
  • Maryland BayStat

References

External links

  • Maryland Park Service



Natural Communities of Maryland

29 Proven Locations To Find Crystals in Maryland in 2025

Maryland Environmental Poll Results Faunalytics

Natural Heritage Program Spotlight Maryland’s Natural Areas

Maryland Map with leaves marking weekend events